This thesis examines the social history of the Vancouver Korean community from 1965 to 1997. Within the Canadian context, first generation immigrant Koreans have experienced two key phenomena which have challenged their social status and made for a unique immigrant experience in Canada. First, there has been a negative estimation of Korean cultural merit by the host society. Second, first generation Koreans were highly educated professionals who could not find employment commensurate with their educational and professional backgrounds. Prestige is extremely important for all individuals and groups. In light of the two challenges of cultural devaluation and downward occupational adjustment, the question that this thesis investigates is how Vancouver Koreans have historically reestablished lost prestige within their own community. It is concluded that immigrant generation Koreans have contested for personal status in two ways: by promoting Korean cultural heritage and by pursuing positions of authority within the structure of the Korean community.

This thesis examines the social history of the Vancouver Korean community from 1965 to 1997. Within the Canadian context, first generation immigrant Koreans have experienced two key phenomena which have challenged their social status and made for a unique immigrant experience in Canada. First, there has been a negative estimation of Korean cultural merit by the host society. Second, first generation Koreans were highly educated professionals who could not find employment commensurate with their educational and professional backgrounds. Prestige is extremely important for all individuals and groups. In light of the two challenges of cultural devaluation and downward occupational adjustment, the question that this thesis investigates is how Vancouver Koreans have historically reestablished lost prestige within their own community. It is concluded that immigrant generation Koreans have contested for personal status in two ways: by promoting Korean cultural heritage and by pursuing positions of authority within the structure of the Korean community. / Arts, Faculty of / History, Department of / Graduate