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Practical Theology, Pastoral Ministry, and Pastoral Counseling for Korean-American Marriage: Cultural, Pastoral, and Clinical Applications with Bowen’s Family System Theory

  • Journal of Counseling and Gospel
  • Abbr : Jocag
  • 2013, 21(), pp.121-155
  • DOI : 10.17841/jocag.2013.21..121
  • Publisher : Korean Evangelical Counseling Society
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology > Pastoral Counseling
  • Received : September 18, 2013
  • Accepted : November 12, 2013

Chul Woo Son 1

1Fuller Theological Seminary

Candidate

ABSTRACT

In reality, Koreans are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. Recent Korean immigrants constitute the vast majority of the Korean American population. As a result, interracial marriages between Korean and Americans have increased, and have become a momentous issue in the Korean community. These couples face a harsh reality and have a difficult time adjusting to the differences in cultural norms and values. The entire paper is unified by frequent reference to the story of a Korean-American couple who has been married for twenty five years which forms the central clinical case for exploration. I believe that this case will provide a good example of a typical interracial couple’s marital problems that center in cultural differences, language barriers, and different family backgrounds. In addition, this paper will evaluate the case of a Korean-American couple utilizing Bowen’s approach to systems therapy. I want to critique its contribution as well as some perceived deficiencies in applying this framework to the context of Korean-American couples. If pastors and pastoral counselors can help interracial couples to accept, respect, and understand the partner’s cultural backgrounds, interracial marriage provides golden opportunities to understand both their own values and beliefs and learn from other’s values and cultures.

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