I read an article written by Gyoung-hae Han, a professor in the Department of Home Economics, at Seoul National University, about the transition of Korean culture around the role and perceptions of elders in a modern society. The concept of ‘modern’ is relative due to this work being published in 1996. I still think it has important perspectives on the cultural movement to provide a background into what is going on currently. The bias of the author is sided with the importance of continuing to honor elders in society.
Han begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural values and attitudes that relate directly to the perceptions and roles of the elderly in South Korea. One of these values is the aspect of filial piety, which promotes the devotion to and importance of family. When filial piety is highly incorporated into society, elders hold a high status that supports their involvement in society. Han paints the picture that the “'blessed elderly' was the image of 'long life' surrounded by many filial children and grandchildren, enjoying a place of honor, authority, and respect in family and community,” (43). It is clear that the elders have had a strong, established role in society that is well-known by South Korean citizens.
Not only does filial piety affect the elders, but the youth carry a lot of responsibility. They are the source of support for their parents and grandparents, even after they move out of the house. This is sourced from the cultural value of reciprocity. Since the parents loved and cared for their children during their youth, the children, therefore, give back to their parents in their old age to honor and respect them. The concept of familism also plays a role in giving the elders their high status by making them the head of the household, leaders of rituals/celebrations, and able to control property.
In recent years, the Western ideology of individualism and egalitarianism has brought some very opposing views of the elderly. As youth wish to become more independent, they see their grandparents as more of a burden. Many have come to value opportunity and autonomy over filial piety and familism. In this “cultural transition” some elders wish to be self-sufficient to lessen the burden on their children (42). This ideology has had a weird mesh with the traditional perceptions of aging that has regarded elders as wise and respected and their old age celebrated as an accomplishment. The Western ideology of the elderly as sick, poor, and weak has started a contrasting idea that the youth are benefitting from. In the growing popularity of the ideology of independence among youth, they have experienced more opportunities for economic and social freedom.
There has been some push-back that Han supports in her article. She believes that education of youth about filial piety and respecting elders should be prioritized. In her opinion, this is the only way for the aged community to feel a sense of purpose and honor.
Before reading this article, I knew that elders were more respected and honored in Korean culture than in American. However, it is interesting to identify the specific aspects of the culture that favor the elderly. I was also unaware of the extent to which the youth cater to their parents and grandparents, or at least what is expected of them. I think learning about the culture around respect for elders is extremely important in learning Korean due to the prevalence of formal and informal speech. In my previous lessons, I have learned how to speak respectfully to someone older and about someone older when speaking to someone your age or younger. An interesting factor is that there is even a different way to refer to yourself when talking to elders so that you appear humble. As I delve more into this research topic, I would like to focus on cultural customs that reflect honoring the elderly and the presence of Western ideology and to what extent it is affecting current perceptions of aging comparatively to Han’s article.
Han, G. (1996). TRADITION AND MODERNITY IN THE CULTURE OF AGING IN KOREA. Korea Journal of Population and Development, 25(1), 41-57. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43783476 ;
Comments
Excellent post, Christiana!