Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Leisure Activity, Ethnic Preservation, And Cultural Integration Of Older Korean Americans, Nancy Kropf, Eunja Kim, Douglas Kleiber

Nancy P. Kropf

For immigrant groups, leisure activity has the potential both to increase familiarity with a new culture and to preserve cultural history and identity. Using a qualitative case study design, this research analyzed leisure activities of six older Korean Americans to determine both personal and cultural meanings of leisure. From a personal perspective, leisure was used to create two effects for the older adults: Ki-Bun-Chun-Whan, which is the experience of a shift in emotional atmosphere as a result of engaging in activities; and self-development activities, which provide the older adults with opportunities for learning or growth. Cultural meanings of leisure activities …