Ethnic Studies Review
[Review of] Kyeyoung Park. The Korean American Dream: Immigrants and Small Business in New York City
Orginal Publication Date
1997
Journal Title
Ethnic Studies Review
Volume
20
Issue
esr/vol20/iss1
First Page
110
Last Page
111
Abstract
Kyeyoung Park illustrates how the Korean American dream emerges from a harsh reality. Park's central argument is that Korean immigrant adjustment is driven by an ideology of self-help. Within the context of this ideology, Korean immigrants see a close connection between entrepreneurial activity and basic survival in America. It is argued that the primacy of establishing one's own small business in order to generate stability and security has an overarching influence on the activities of individual Korean immigrants and the Korean American community in general. From this premise, Park describes how the preoccupation with entrepreneurship for subsistence shapes various spheres of life for Korean Americans. Chapters discuss how this ideological orientation sets the parameters for familial relations, gender roles, working conditions, political activities, and religious practices in the Korean community.
Rights
Copyright ©ESR, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1997
Comments
The Ethnic Experience in the United States