After talking to my mom and aunt about the roles of females in the Korean culture, I realized, it is more of a tradition that has been kept up for generations. Although, it may not be clear to me as to why it is that way, it makes sense because everything that my mom does in the household, is what she learned from her mom growing up. However, I definitely don't expect to keep up the tradition. But I mean, I learned a lot about my culture. I learned that all cultures are different, I shouldn't look down on my roots, but just come to an understanding of them.
I feel like keeping up a tradition is important, because in the end, that is one of the few things that can remind you of your roots in the end. But when I talked to my aunt about everything, I expected her to agree with my point of view more than anything, but it was the complete opposite. Her views were much more traditional than I expected. She said her view on it, is that it is just what women are supposed to do, in the Korean Culture. And at first I was confused, seeing as how she grew up in the states, but then I realized, these traditions and beliefs are apart of the culture in which she grew up with.
I don't really have an answer as to why the female role is the way it is, but I feel like I understood that no matter what the situation, in the end, you will follow through with your roots, regardless if it was a huge part of your life.
As for my mom, I know she doesn't enjoy how the role of females in the Korean culture has come to be, but she goes along with it anyways. Oddly, I want to say my mom is less traditional compared to my aunt. My mom is more open to understanding the American culture, since my sister and I both grew up with both Korean Culture and American Culture. Which I applaud her for, because it is hard to look outside of your beliefs, and try to understand other views of life. She tries to change things up when it comes to gender roles in my family, which I really respect her for. She has spoken up for herself much more now than ever before. And in my eyes, in the Korean Culture, whatever the man in the family says, goes... Which in my opinion is completely dumb, because it should be an equal decision, and shouldn't be up to just one person.
So overall, I guess it just depends on the person, if they stick with tradition, and believe it, because that is what they grew up with. Because I was really surprised that my aunt, even though she had grown up her, is more close minded towards breaking tradition, than my mom, whom had grown up in Korea..
As for my mom, I know she doesn't enjoy how the role of females in the Korean culture has come to be, but she goes along with it anyways. Oddly, I want to say my mom is less traditional compared to my aunt. My mom is more open to understanding the American culture, since my sister and I both grew up with both Korean Culture and American Culture. Which I applaud her for, because it is hard to look outside of your beliefs, and try to understand other views of life. She tries to change things up when it comes to gender roles in my family, which I really respect her for. She has spoken up for herself much more now than ever before. And in my eyes, in the Korean Culture, whatever the man in the family says, goes... Which in my opinion is completely dumb, because it should be an equal decision, and shouldn't be up to just one person.
So overall, I guess it just depends on the person, if they stick with tradition, and believe it, because that is what they grew up with. Because I was really surprised that my aunt, even though she had grown up her, is more close minded towards breaking tradition, than my mom, whom had grown up in Korea..
It must be interesting growing up in American society with parents who are strongly tied to a different culture. It definitely seems like Korean culture is largely rooted around traditions, and for them, this may mean holding very defined gender roles. It is good that by doing this project, you were able to see that all cultures are different, and that no one culture is right or wrongs in its ways or points of view. This fact alone stands as a very strong basis of anthropology. If one holds this belief when he or she is an anthropologist, they can get very far in their research because they will not hold any overwhelming biases as the authors of the books we are reading this semester discuss that can potentially stunt their research goals.
ReplyDeleteI am personally not very familiar with the Korean culture, so it would have been nice if you elaborated on the gender roles a bit more before diving into your results of talking to your mom and aunt. Are women respected in Korean society, or do they tend to hold a more submissive role? How do Korean men tend to treat women on a domestic level? In having a more basic understanding of these roles, it would have helped me see your family’s point of view more clearly. Overall though, you did some good, thorough research.
I think you have a pretty good start but there are some areas you should elaborate on. It was of my understanding that we were to do the research and then present our actual findings in our third blog. Here you have a great conclusion to what those findings were, but as a second reader I need more. I would like to know what are the things that differ between your mother and aunt. I would like to know what actual things is your mother responsible. Perhaps even what part of Korea your mother and aunt learned these traditions. With this feed back I think that you will have a wonderful and full blog. Good luck!
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