결혼이주여성의 지역사회참여 현황과 교육법적 과제

Community participation of married immigrant women has important meaning in forming individual identity in the country they have immigrated to and having positive effect on social, cultural, and political integration. Community participation is a concept that encompasses participation in various meetings and activities for mutual interactions in one’s local community and in activities aimed at exerting influence on policy-making process related to one's life. However, community participation of married immigrant women has been limited so far in that discussions about various types of participation and institutional support have not been made. This study examined the significance and types of community participation of married immigrant women and how institutional support for such participation of married immigrant women is reflected in relevant legal system. In addition, a survey on community participation was conducted with 210 married immigrant women living in the metropolitan area in order to empirically examine the current status of community participation of married immigrant women. As a result, it was found that educational support focused on social adaptation education is mainly reflected in relevant legal system. The survey results indicated that married immigrant women show the highest participation in educational and cultural programs provided mainly by Multicultural Family Support Centers and the lowest participation in policy affairs. Based on the results of this study, the following suggestions were made as ways to activate community participation of married immigrant women; change of perspective on community participation of married immigrant women as members of society, diversification of education programs for married immigrant women from the viewpoint of lifelong education, and reinforced support for vitalization of policy participation through ordinances, and reinforced support for multicultural education to improve multicultural awareness among ordinary citizens.