ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between child development and the eco cultural context. It overviews social and cultural change. The chapter reviews the areas of individualism and collectivism and how these two constructs relate to child development. It also reviews the parent-child relationship in Korean culture. The chapter provides a descriptive overview of Korean culture and American culture, and documents the differences between the two cultures. Although Koreans living in Korea are confronted with Western influences, Korean institutions and society provide a reference frame and allow for a mediated response to these external influences. However, Korean immigrants emigrating to North America must confront these contrasting value systems with very little institutional or societal support. They experience incompatibilities between the two contrasting cultures, and struggle to adapt in their new environment. A possible solution for Korean immigrants is to give up their heritage culture in favor of the host culture.
