Social constructionism assumes that cultural identities are constantly being reinvented and reinterpreted. In this article, the rather extensive research concerning identity construction for second generation Korean Americans is reviewed, and the main findings are illustrated through examples drawn from Korean American literature and second generation Korean American life stories. Special attention is given to the friendship patterns, language usage, and racial experiences of the second generation. In addition, dating patterns are examined and some of the possible reasons for the high rate of exogamous marriage, especially for Korean American women, are explored.
Where Have I Come from?: Ethnicity and Place in Pre-1965 Second-Generation Korean American Life Writing from Hawai‘i
