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

Chul Woo Son (손철우)

doi:10.17841/jocag.2013.21..121

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.

KEYWORDS

interracial marriage, cultural differences, Bowen Systems Theory, relationship triangle, differentiation

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* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

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Journal of Counseling and Gospel 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.55

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

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

Journal of Counseling and Gospel 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.55

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

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS

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* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.