Elderly Koreans' tendency to live independently from their adult children: adaptation to cultural differences in America.

Korean elderly persons who immigrated to America tend to live apart from their adult children, contrary to the assumption that they would adhere to their old custom of intergenerational family living prevalent in Korea where the tradition of filial piety is still influential. This paper explores factors associated with the elderly immigrants' living separate from their adult children and elicits the reasons they give for this residential pattern. Over 100 elderly Korean-Americans were interviewed. The results of this study show that public welfare programs, income, and education were major factors associated with the elderly's independent living from their adult children. Other factors influencing their preference for such a living pattern are also identified, including needs for privacy and freedom. Cultural factors related to family living patterns are discussed.