Civic Engagements of Koreans in the Washington, D.C. Area

Abstract

Through forty-two in-depth interviews this exploratory study examineshow Koreans in the Washington, D.C. area make meaning of civic engagement,and use religious social capital in the process of civic engagement. The findingssuggest that the interviewees have been actively engaged in civic activities. However, the motivation and opportunities for civic engagements were throughthe church. With local church’s resources (such as staff, budget, space, andequipment), they were able to engage in active civic engagements that werein line with their faith. Yet, because these activities were considered religiousand as most of the first generation interviewees were educated in Korea, consideringthemselves not familiar with the American system, they perceived theiractions to be non-civic engagements. Such perception contributed to them havinglow-attitudes toward civic engagement. Moreover, church-centered activitieswere found to have contributed to them having limited knowledge about civicengagements.