Understanding South Korean Immigrant Adolescents' Experiences of Staying Home Alone

ABSTRACT Adequate caregiver supervision is crucial for the well‐being of children and adolescents, helping to promote healthy development and to prevent injuries and emotional–behavioural problems. The transition from childhood to adolescence requires careful consideration of cultural norms. This is particularly true in Canada, a culturally diverse country where cultural norms influence supervision practices. While there has been some attention to studying the phenomenon of children home alone, little research incorporates adolescents' perspectives or focuses on immigrant families, particularly South Koreans. This study, involving interviews with South Korean immigrant caregivers ( n = 15) and adolescents ( n = 10), explores the experiences and determinants of children being home alone in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), highlighting both positive and negative consequences. Using thematic analysis, findings revealed that factors such as child's age, sex, maturity and responsibility influence the decisions for children to stay home alone. South Korean caregivers' and adolescents' views are shaped by both South Korean and Canadian cultural norms. Understanding these perspectives can help social workers and settlement and integration organisations tailor culturally appropriate interventions, promoting adequate caregiver supervision and ensuring the safety and well‐being of children and adolescents in South Korean immigrant families.