Comments on: Guest post: Some thoughts on gender in South Korea

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:33:34 +0000

I certainly agree that there are a lot of Western influences involved, but, in discussing it with Koreans around my age, and my co-workers, they point to employment and advancement far more. That said, they may simply not be acknowledging the influence of the West in this case, but, until recently, South Korea was a uniquely insular society.

And yes, the West does the same judgmental stuff, which precludes me from mentioning that they do the same thing how?

But, fair enough point about not much mentioning the West.

And I think couple clothes are funny. I guess you don’t.

You’re welcome to take issue with my points. But the rudeness isn’t particularly necessary. Have a good evening.

By: Vlada

Vlada — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:09:19 +0000

This reads like a Western anthropological study. Blegh.

You make “observations” about eyelid surgery without discussing the influence of Western beauty ideals? I really doubt teens get this surgery solely to better their chances of employment. The surgery is pretty popular in North America among the Asian community, too. And our Western society continues to judge a woman’s worth by her appearance.

Couple clothing? Living at home until marriage? Why is this an article? I was half expecting a paragraph on South Korean’s hygiene habits.

Bad day for Equal Writes?

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:19:11 +0000

I will say that my students, just like high schoolers back home, do call each other “gay” sometimes – the word in Korean is “gay,” since it “doesn’t exist,” of course – so there’s some distinction they’re making in their heads, but I have yet to figure out where the average kid is drawing the line. Interesting to observe though.

By: Janis

Janis — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:56:10 +0000

You know, I wonder if it’s not the Western cultural baggage on the word “gay.” Sure, there’s some people around who prefer the romantic company of members of their own sex, but they aren’t GAY. (Where “gay” means the classic Western stereotype.)

I just wonder if they aren’t looking at it as we might look at the word “cowboy,” where there may be guys in funky hats who rope cattle and shoot in various other countries, but they aren’t “cowboys” because it’s got cultural connotations to it that require it be based in the US plains states.

Not making excuses here, just trying to figure out the semantics.