In-class essay: 한남(Korean males), and so-called 'tradition'
In-class essay
* This is an essay written in class (50 min), and it was revised slightly(mostly grammar) to be posted on the blog.
Prompt:
"Us and Them". "Tribalism" is social phenomena that extends from small and specific social groups(schools, companies, neighborhoods) to larger more broadly generalized groups (economic, ethnic, nationhood). In a first paragraph (the "US" paragraph), identify a group you belong to on any scale, and write about something that binds that group together. In a second paragraph (a "Them" paragraph), identify a similarly scaled group you don't belong to (and may or may not have clashing ideals with), and summarize how they are different. In a third paragraph, (a "What if" paragraph) write in favor and support of something that this group stands for - either specifically or generally - and express how that group feels (even if you don't agree). In a fourth paragraph, (the Conclusion) propose a middle ground or identify where you think the difference originates. Can these two groups ever see eye-to-eye?
Title: 한남(Korean males), and so-called 'tradition'
'한남'(Korean males) became the most disturbing term for feminists. Even though I don't support ideologies of 한남, I'm ethnically and sexually in that group, as a 17-years-old Korean male. Many of KMLA male teachers are represented as 한남. They believe they are superior and more powerful than their wives. One Korean English teacher said in his class, "When I go home, my wife asks me to throw trash. But I don't give a shit, because it is a woman's thing to do, and I have to rest." Every Chuseok, there are countless agonies from Korean wives because of these 한남s. Korean males make their wives do all the chores - washing dishes, preparing foods, cleaning the room - while they watch TV. Wives can't raise any idea against that since it's sort of a 'tradition' for general Korean males. Even though I do not agree with this tradition, it is an inevitable fact that I'm a Korean male. This misogynistic idea came from Chosun Dynasty - when males changed Confucianism to prioritize themselves against women.
Now, let us view in a completely different perspective: Korean women or Korean wives. Well, voices of 'them' went over the surface only a decade ago. Before that, Korean wives didn't have enough courage to reform male-dominated society. They were always regarded as an 'object' of the society. However, they started to shout out their opinion starting from the 21st century. For instance, there is a famous Facebook webtoon titled 며느라기 which depicts countless misdeeds that Korean males are conducting. As adolescence or menopause, there is a certain period for Korean wives when they want to get recognition from their husband's family - and that is called 며느라기 in Korean. One of the episodes was about Chuseok. As a housemaker, the protagonist had to clean up all the mess and make foods. Afraid and anxious about doing those labors alone, the author told her husband that he should help her out doing these chores and her husband agreed. However, as soon as they entered her husband's parent's house, he was called directly to the kitchen while her husband was called directly to the living room. Even though her husband attempted to help her wife, his father stopped him from doing so, because it was not 'manly.'
This episode summarizes how Korean wives or Korean Women are different from Korean males. The fundamental problem is, 한남(Korean males) doesn't even notice that this is a problem. Since it came from their tradition, it is natural for 한남s to feel this way. However, they should throw questions such as "What if I was a Korean housemaker?" to themselves in order to identify their feeling. If husband's work is to earn money as an officer and housemaker's duty is to wash dishes, that's fine. That is not a discrimination. However, if husband is not helping his wife washing the dishes because 'it is not the stuff man should do,' that's clearly a stereotyped discrimination. Korean housewives are not supporting something grandiose. They just want 'equal spectrum' on them as well as Korean males. They dream of a society that Korean males don't care them as a dishwasher while believing themselves as superior to woman. They dream of a society where Korean males are also helping their chores in Chuseok and Seolnal. If one human being is treated as an object in the 21st century, how would people from western countries feel? It is a hidden reality in Korea.
In Gyporeo Dynasty (dynasty before Chosun Dynasty), there was a concept of feminism. Female was treated equally as male, and there weren't any gender problems. However, Chosun Dynasty implemented Confucianism and changed it to apply in their male-dominated society. Federal laws blocked female from having the same opportunity with male. In the 21st century, a lot of 한남(Korean males) still have that belief, especially the elderly. In order to mend this inequality gap, we need to acknowledge that there is a problem. When you meet your cousins this Chuseok, please tell them how housewives are discriminated. Please get rid of their inflexible stereotype. Yes, it would be hard because it is a 'tradition.' However, if a tradition blocks one's right as a human, it should be abolished.
*In this essay, I used 'housemakers', not 'housewives' since the word is gender-biased.
* This is an essay written in class (50 min), and it was revised slightly(mostly grammar) to be posted on the blog.
Prompt:
"Us and Them". "Tribalism" is social phenomena that extends from small and specific social groups(schools, companies, neighborhoods) to larger more broadly generalized groups (economic, ethnic, nationhood). In a first paragraph (the "US" paragraph), identify a group you belong to on any scale, and write about something that binds that group together. In a second paragraph (a "Them" paragraph), identify a similarly scaled group you don't belong to (and may or may not have clashing ideals with), and summarize how they are different. In a third paragraph, (a "What if" paragraph) write in favor and support of something that this group stands for - either specifically or generally - and express how that group feels (even if you don't agree). In a fourth paragraph, (the Conclusion) propose a middle ground or identify where you think the difference originates. Can these two groups ever see eye-to-eye?
Title: 한남(Korean males), and so-called 'tradition'
'한남'(Korean males) became the most disturbing term for feminists. Even though I don't support ideologies of 한남, I'm ethnically and sexually in that group, as a 17-years-old Korean male. Many of KMLA male teachers are represented as 한남. They believe they are superior and more powerful than their wives. One Korean English teacher said in his class, "When I go home, my wife asks me to throw trash. But I don't give a shit, because it is a woman's thing to do, and I have to rest." Every Chuseok, there are countless agonies from Korean wives because of these 한남s. Korean males make their wives do all the chores - washing dishes, preparing foods, cleaning the room - while they watch TV. Wives can't raise any idea against that since it's sort of a 'tradition' for general Korean males. Even though I do not agree with this tradition, it is an inevitable fact that I'm a Korean male. This misogynistic idea came from Chosun Dynasty - when males changed Confucianism to prioritize themselves against women.
Now, let us view in a completely different perspective: Korean women or Korean wives. Well, voices of 'them' went over the surface only a decade ago. Before that, Korean wives didn't have enough courage to reform male-dominated society. They were always regarded as an 'object' of the society. However, they started to shout out their opinion starting from the 21st century. For instance, there is a famous Facebook webtoon titled 며느라기 which depicts countless misdeeds that Korean males are conducting. As adolescence or menopause, there is a certain period for Korean wives when they want to get recognition from their husband's family - and that is called 며느라기 in Korean. One of the episodes was about Chuseok. As a housemaker, the protagonist had to clean up all the mess and make foods. Afraid and anxious about doing those labors alone, the author told her husband that he should help her out doing these chores and her husband agreed. However, as soon as they entered her husband's parent's house, he was called directly to the kitchen while her husband was called directly to the living room. Even though her husband attempted to help her wife, his father stopped him from doing so, because it was not 'manly.'
This episode summarizes how Korean wives or Korean Women are different from Korean males. The fundamental problem is, 한남(Korean males) doesn't even notice that this is a problem. Since it came from their tradition, it is natural for 한남s to feel this way. However, they should throw questions such as "What if I was a Korean housemaker?" to themselves in order to identify their feeling. If husband's work is to earn money as an officer and housemaker's duty is to wash dishes, that's fine. That is not a discrimination. However, if husband is not helping his wife washing the dishes because 'it is not the stuff man should do,' that's clearly a stereotyped discrimination. Korean housewives are not supporting something grandiose. They just want 'equal spectrum' on them as well as Korean males. They dream of a society that Korean males don't care them as a dishwasher while believing themselves as superior to woman. They dream of a society where Korean males are also helping their chores in Chuseok and Seolnal. If one human being is treated as an object in the 21st century, how would people from western countries feel? It is a hidden reality in Korea.
In Gyporeo Dynasty (dynasty before Chosun Dynasty), there was a concept of feminism. Female was treated equally as male, and there weren't any gender problems. However, Chosun Dynasty implemented Confucianism and changed it to apply in their male-dominated society. Federal laws blocked female from having the same opportunity with male. In the 21st century, a lot of 한남(Korean males) still have that belief, especially the elderly. In order to mend this inequality gap, we need to acknowledge that there is a problem. When you meet your cousins this Chuseok, please tell them how housewives are discriminated. Please get rid of their inflexible stereotype. Yes, it would be hard because it is a 'tradition.' However, if a tradition blocks one's right as a human, it should be abolished.
*In this essay, I used 'housemakers', not 'housewives' since the word is gender-biased.
Interesting analysis that could easily consume 4 years of a liberal arts degree, taking in religion, culture, psychology, and history. One statement I have a bit of issue with is "there weren't any gender problems" in the Gyporeo (selling is Gyoreo, no?) Dynasty. That's a blanket statement that isn't true in any context, so be careful of using "every" and "all" and "always" etc. when presenting a logical argument or opinion.
답글삭제As a young male Korean who was fortunate enough to attend a high school that has an active Bamboo Forest and many students who are willing to speak out - be the change you want to see in this world. While some boys are understandably offended by "feminism" and make many arguments against it - ranging from military service to k-pop - it can't be denied that Korea has catching up to do. Good post.