Discuss The Fol 400185

Discuss The Fol

After studying Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following: Jay and Sue Kim, ages 29 and 26 years and married for 2 years, immigrated from South Korea and settled in Los Angeles. They have lived in a small one-bedroom apartment since their arrival. Both graduated from the same Korean university with baccalaureate degrees in English literature. They have one child, Joseph, age 1 year. When they arrived in the United States, Jay was unable to find a job because of his poor proficiency in English, despite his major in English literature.

He eventually obtained a job with a moving company through a church friend. Sue is not working because of their son. Although the Kim’s did not attend a church before immigration, they are now regularly attending a Korean Protestant church in their neighborhood. Sue is pregnant again, determined by a home pregnancy kit, with their second child and concerned about the medical costs. They did not use any contraceptives because she was breastfeeding.

Because of financial limitations, Sue did not initially have prenatal care with her first pregnancy. However, she did keep up with the Korean traditional prenatal practice, tae-kyo. Eventually, she received help from her church and delivered a healthy son. She is not sure whether she can get financial help from her church again but is confident that her second child will be healthy if she follows the Korean traditional prenatal practices. Jay is concerned about job security because he recently heard from colleagues that the moving company might soon go bankrupt.

Although Jay has not been satisfied with his current job (he thinks that he is overqualified), this news is still a cause for concern. Moreover, Sue’s recent pregnancy has made Jay more stressed, and he has started drinking alcohol. Joseph cannot stand up by himself and still wants to be breastfed. Although Sue has tried to give foods such as oranges, apples, steamed rice, and milk (because she is now pregnant), Joseph refuses to eat them and cries for breastfeeding. Joseph’s weight is low-normal for same-age babies.

Paper For Above instruction

The cultural practices and beliefs of South Korea significantly influence health behaviors and perceptions, especially concerning prenatal care, nutrition, and alcohol consumption. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for healthcare providers working with Korean immigrant families, such as Jay and Sue Kim, to deliver culturally competent care that respects their values while promoting health and well-being.

The Practice of Tae-kyo in Korean Culture

One notable traditional prenatal practice among Koreans is tae-kyo (태교), which literally translates to "ancestral education" or "prenatal education." Traditionally, tae-kyo emphasizes a mother's role in creating a peaceful and harmonious environment during pregnancy to promote the healthy development of the fetus. Key aspects include maintaining calmness, avoiding anger, not speaking loudly, refraining from stressful activities, and practicing gentle behaviors. Mothers often engage in listening to classical music, reading literature, or engaging in meditation, believing these activities positively influence the fetus’s mental and physical development (Kim & Kim, 2020).

This practice is rooted in Confucian values emphasizing filial piety and respect for family harmony. It underscores the importance of maternal mental health and the environment surrounding the unborn child. In contemporary Korea, while biomedical approaches to prenatal care are prevalent, tae-kyo remains influential among traditionalists and those seeking to honor cultural identity (Lee & Lee, 2019).

Comparison of Tae-kyo with Allopathic Prenatal Recommendations

Allopathic (Western medical) prenatal care emphasizes routine medical checkups, nutrition, avoidance of teratogens such as alcohol and tobacco, and managing health conditions. Key recommendations include regular prenatal visits, balanced nutrition, adequate rest, and avoiding harmful substances. Notably, alcohol consumption during pregnancy is contraindicated in allopathic medicine due to risks of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, placental abruption, and miscarriage (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2020).

While tae-kyo aligns with some prenatal health principles—such as maintaining calm and avoiding stress—there are conflicts regarding alcohol use. Tae-kyo’s emphasis on emotional harmony may advocate for moderate or even abstinent alcohol consumption; however, some traditional beliefs may be more permissive about alcohol intake during pregnancy. The challenge for healthcare providers is to respect the cultural importance of tae-kyo while firmly advising evidence-based restrictions, particularly regarding alcohol, which is universally discouraged during pregnancy (Kim & Kim, 2020).

Food Choices Among Koreans During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Korean dietary practices during pregnancy and postpartum reflect cultural beliefs about health and recovery. During pregnancy, women are encouraged to consume nutrient-dense, warm, and easily digestible foods that promote blood health and vitality, such asjujube rice porridge, seaweed soup (miyeok-guk), and fermented foods. These foods are believed to provide essential nutrients and support the body's recovery after childbirth (Jung & Kim, 2018).

Postpartum, the concept of "sanhujori" (traditional postpartum care) emphasizes restoring the mother’s strength through specific diets, often involving soups rich in ginseng, chicken, and medicinal herbs. Drinking seaweed soup is particularly significant as it is believed to help replenish blood, promote lactation, and aid recovery. These practices are rooted in the principle of balancing "hot" and "cold" foods to restore harmony within the body, a concept derived from traditional Korean medicine (Choi & Kim, 2017).

Cultural Attitudes Toward Drinking Among Koreans

Alcohol consumption holds a complex place in Korean culture, often associated with social cohesion, respect, and tradition. Drinking is common in social gatherings, business meetings, and celebrations, emphasizing collective bonding. For many Koreans, alcohol is a symbol of hospitality and communal harmony (Kim & Han, 2019).

However, during pregnancy, cultural attitudes generally shift toward abstinence. Traditional beliefs discourage drinking during pregnancy, recognizing potential harm, though some older generations might underestimate or dismiss these risks. Given the health risks associated with alcohol during pregnancy, healthcare providers need to address these cultural attitudes sensitively, acknowledging the importance of social drinking in Korean culture while emphasizing the need for abstinence during gestation (Lee & Lee, 2019).

Culturally Congruent Strategies to Address Jay’s Alcohol Use

To effectively address Jay’s increased alcohol consumption, healthcare providers should employ culturally sensitive strategies that respect Korean cultural values. First, incorporating a family-centered approach by engaging Jay’s wife Sue in counseling can reinforce collective responsibility and community support, which are valued in Korean culture (Min et al., 2021). Second, utilizing motivational interviewing techniques that emphasize harmony and balance, aligning with traditional Korean philosophies, can foster intrinsic motivation for change (Kang & Park, 2020). Third, connecting Jay with Korean-speaking or culturally competent counselors can help reduce stigma, improve communication, and facilitate understanding of the health risks associated with alcohol use during pregnancy. Such strategies demonstrate respect for cultural norms while promoting healthier behaviors (Choi & Kim, 2017).

Conclusion

Understanding and integrating Korean cultural practices such as tae-kyo, dietary customs, and social attitudes toward alcohol are vital for providing effective prenatal and postnatal care to Korean immigrant families. Healthcare providers must balance respecting cultural values with promoting evidence-based health behaviors, especially concerning alcohol use during pregnancy. Culturally tailored interventions, family involvement, and respectful communication can enhance health outcomes for families like the Kims, ensuring their cultural beliefs are honored while safeguarding maternal and fetal health.

References

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Smoking, alcohol, and substance use during pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 136(4), e39–e50.
• Choi, S., & Kim, Y. (2017). Traditional Korean postpartum practices and their health implications: A review. Journal of Korean Medicine, 38(2), 45–52.
• Jung, S., & Kim, H. (2018). Dietary behaviors during pregnancy among Korean women: Cultural influences and nutritional considerations. Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics, 50(3), 210–218.
• Kang, H., & Park, S. (2020). Motivational interviewing with culturally tailored approaches in Korean populations. Counseling and Psychology, 22(1), 55–67.
• Kim, S., & Han, S. (2019). Social drinking and cultural perceptions of alcohol among Koreans. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 22(4), 289–298.
• Kim, Y., & Kim, S. (2020). The role of tae-kyo in contemporary Korean prenatal care: Tradition and modernity. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 33(17), 2905–2912.
• Lee, H., & Lee, J. (2019). Cultural influences on maternal health practices among Korean women. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 19, 148.
• Min, J., et al. (2021). Family involvement in health behavior change among Korean immigrant women. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health, 23(2), 285–293.
• Choi, S., & Kim, Y. (2017). Traditional Korean postpartum practices and their health implications: A review. Journal of Korean Medicine, 38(2), 45–52.