“Asian Invasion”, is what some American reply to me when asked about the growing Asian immigrant population in America. One of the Asian immigrant societies is the Korean population. Most western people do not even know where the small country of Korea is even located. Some think that Korea is a part of China or Japan. Korea might be a small country but it has a very distinct culture, a rich history, and vibrant people.
These immigrant Koreans in America still maintain their strict way of discipline for their children. Sometimes they inflict corporal punishment on their children when they cause trouble. Corporal punishment against any child is a big problem not only for Koreans, but many nationalities living in America.
The title, “Characteristics of Child Abuse in Immigrant Korean Families and Correlates of Placement Decisions” caught my eye on an Internet site. Many Korean parents in Los Angeles are charged with physical abuse of their children. The corporal punishment used to discipline their children is judged as physically abusive towards children by American judicial system.
Korea has followed its philosophical and official educational system dating back to the 14th century with the Chosun Dynasty. The system is Confucianism. Confucianism controls social order as self-regulating but it is different with law. One of Confucianism is based on the rules, manners, and family relationships. The young have to listen and respect their parents or older members of their families. Parents and/or teachers need to give corporal punishment to children or pupils when these children show bad behavior or cause trouble. The punishment should be given out evenly and is not meant to be abusive but to instill discipline. A common form of corporal punishment is to get whipped on the back of the calf or the palm. These children do not feel deeply humiliated by this punishment, but instead they realize they are wrong and reflect on their conduct.
Korea has followed its philosophical and official educational system dating back to the 14th century with the Chosun Dynasty. The system is Confucianism. Confucianism controls social order as self-regulating but it is different with law. One of Confucianism is based on the rules, manners, and family relationships. The young have to listen and respect their parents or older members of their families. Parents and/or teachers need to give corporal punishment to children or pupils when these children show bad behavior or cause trouble. The punishment should be given out evenly and is not meant to be abusive but to instill discipline. A common form of corporal punishment is to get whipped on the back of the calf or the palm. These children do not feel deeply humiliated by this punishment, but instead they realize they are wrong and reflect on their conduct.
Confucianism still remains in Korea, even though Korea is modern country now. The idea of Confucianism has also influenced immigrant Korean families moving to America. However, the corporal punishment of children is social problem in America. Some Korean kids in America use American law against corporal punishment to avoid punishment from parents. Children then report the punishment as a physical abuse to their school administrators. Finally, parents will be charged with domestic violence and the physical abuse of their children. All Korean parents are then labeled as evil and savages.
Today, the most common reason why Koreans immigrate to America is for their children’s education. All Korean parents place a strong emphasis on education. There is keen competition for high school boys and girls to enter college. It is expected that these teenage boys and girls study from early morning to midnight, and on weekends. Therefore, many Korean parents try to move to other countries in order to lessen their child’s burden. Even though some parents have a stable career and enjoy financial success in Korea, they give this up for the well being of their children. All Korean parents support their children by providing for private tutoring and paying for college tuition, graduate school, even a doctorate degree. Most of a family’s savings is used for their child’s educational aspirations. They are willing to sacrifice themselves for their kids. These Korean parents’ love for their children is all encompassing. The punishment dealt on their children is partly love and partly the parents desire for the child to straighten up their act.
I hope we can distinguish between real physical abuse and corporal punishment for discipline of children with the relative viewpoint of different cultures.
I hope we can distinguish between real physical abuse and corporal punishment for discipline of children with the relative viewpoint of different cultures.
References:
Chang, Janet, Siyon Rhee, Dale Weaver. "Characteristics of Child Abuse in Immigrant Korean Families and Correlates of Placement Decisions." Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal, v30 n8 August 2006.
"Hidden Korea." PBS Online. <http://www.pbs.org/hiddenkorea/>
5 comments:
You make excellent points throughout, and your writing gets smoother the more you do it, as evidenced in this post. You mention article, "Characteristics of Child Abuse in Immigrant Korean Families and Correlates of Placement Decisions": who wrote this, and can you provide reference to it so we can access it, too? It sounds interesting.
You know, I never connected Confucianism with corporal punishment. I guess I need to read some more on the subject!
Amazing points made about the child abuse. For me coming from Kenya to America was a complete culture shock. When I was back home I would get punished in school if I was late for school, if I was to do something wrong it instilled the discipline I have in me today. At home it was the same if I was to back talk my mom or dad it was the same punishment. I was brought up to respect my elders doesnt matter if were the same age if your older I will respect you. Coming to America and looking around and the way American kids mistreat thier teachers and their parents just astonished me. I remember high school being the worst of all when the kids thought they could talk to there teacher anyway they wanted. It shocked me to see this and shocked me even more that the teachers just let it happen. At times the most form of punishment that was given was a simple for of counsel or a trip to the principals office. I personally believe parents here should be harder on their kids and instill that dispiline at all cost. It helped me become the woman I am today and has saved me from making the mistakes that most people of my age make today.
It's great that you can compare the two societies. You bring up very good points and even go through the history of it. You brought in a good amount of information not only from the sites but from your own experiences. There are many views on punishment and its good that you could compare a few.
The culture of Korea seems interesting and I hope in the future you continue to tell us about it and how you're adapting!
Your writing is great. Try to add more outside sources so we can link what you are talking about. I think your points are great and make me extremely aware the problem. I have never thought that way about anyone. How people punish their kids is their business. It is only when it gets out of control. I have been spanked but my parents have tried other punishments. Both ways have left an effect on me. So keep up the great work and make sure you add those outside sources.
Many americans believe they have the answers, especially those who don't travel beyond our borders. It's no different when it comes to child rearing. Asian children make better students because they are bought up to understand what a great sacrifice their parents are making and what a priviledge it is to go to upper level schools. The corporal punishment aspect of child rearing plays a part in this. As does the respect for their teachers and instructors. People here need to reflect on the fact that children in Korea might get smacked to instill discipline, but Korea doesn't have school shootings, a high drop out rate, or a raging substance abuse problem amongst teens. Sometimes I think I would rather raise my kid there then here. If I had one.
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