@article{ART003349931},
author={YoonKyung Kwak and Tae-Young Yun},
title={Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds},
journal={The Journal of Multicultural Society},
issn={2005-2553},
year={2026},
volume={19},
number={2},
pages={35-73}
TY - JOUR
AU - YoonKyung Kwak
AU - Tae-Young Yun
TI - Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds
JO - The Journal of Multicultural Society
PY - 2026
VL - 19
IS - 2
PB - Research Institute of Asian Women
SP - 35
EP - 73
SN - 2005-2553
AB - This study analyzes the segmented experiences of young adults with migration backgrounds as they enter and adapt to the labor market. It focuses in particular on intra-group heterogeneity between those born in Korea and those who immigrated during adolescence (mid-arrival), examining how their patterns of labor market integration become segmented. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 young adults with migration backgrounds, aged 19 to 34 — six born in Korea and six midarrival.The analysis found that parental social capital, career formation through formal education, social prejudice encountered during the jobseeking process, and strategies for mobilizing employment resources shaped their labor market entry and adaptation. In particular, gaps in social capital stemming from place of birth and the timing of citizenship acquisition constrained opportunity structures within the labor market. As a result, the labor market for these youth was hierarchically ordered and segmented into upward integration, downward assimilation, and a third pathway. Building on these findings, the study discusses their policy implications.
KW - young adults with migration backgrounds;mid-arrival young adults with migration backgrounds;segmented assimilation;labor market transition;youth policy
DO -
UR -
ER -
YoonKyung Kwak and Tae-Young Yun. (2026). Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds. The Journal of Multicultural Society, 19(2), 35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak and Tae-Young Yun. 2026, "Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds", The Journal of Multicultural Society, vol.19, no.2 pp.35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak, Tae-Young Yun "Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds" The Journal of Multicultural Society 19.2 pp.35-73 (2026) : 35.
YoonKyung Kwak, Tae-Young Yun. Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds. 2026; 19(2), 35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak and Tae-Young Yun. "Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds" The Journal of Multicultural Society 19, no.2 (2026) : 35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak; Tae-Young Yun. Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds. The Journal of Multicultural Society, 19(2), 35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak; Tae-Young Yun. Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds. The Journal of Multicultural Society. 2026; 19(2) 35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak, Tae-Young Yun. Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds. 2026; 19(2), 35-73.
YoonKyung Kwak and Tae-Young Yun. "Segmented Labor Market Experiences of Young Adults with Migration Backgrounds" The Journal of Multicultural Society 19, no.2 (2026) : 35-73.
