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South Korean Women

Feminism in a Global PerspectiveKristine Buffington

+Introduction

Hello, welcome to my presentation on South Korean Women

My name is Kristine Buffington

I am not married and do not have any children. I have two sisters and my parents are still married.

I have been a Registered Nurse for 3 years and am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing

My ancestry includes Finland, England, Ireland, & Germany

I was raised in a feminist household, that was possibly a little more female dominated.

+South Korea General Information Republic of Korea

Surrounded by the Yellow Sea & the Sea of Japan

Population: 48,249,000

Capital: Seoul

Language: Korean

Life Expectancy: 76

Main Export: Electronic products

Religion: Buddhist & Christian

(South Korea Statistics, 2010)

+Population Statistics

Population 46.6 million

Women: 49.3% of population

Growth rate 0.9%

(Asia and Oceania, 2003)

+Women’s Issues

Unequal Status

Inequality in employment opportunity

Dual Standard Expected to have role in work and traditional role in home

Eating Disorders

Low participation in politics & religion as leaders

Domestic and Sexual Violence

(Asia and Oceania, 2003)

+Traditional Role

Confucian Roots

Obey the will of her father when young

Obey the will of her husband when married

Obey the will of her son when widowed

(Asia and Oceania, 2003)

+Traditional (cont.)

Religious

Some higher education Possibly at trade school or college

Married young Virgin when married

Has children after marriage

Homemaker, and primary caregiver

Expected to give up her career for family

Not more successful than husband

(Asia and Oceania, 2003)

+Modern Woman

Participates in Economy Modern Occupations: Doctor, Lawyer, CEO, professors

Increase of married women in workforce

Dual roles Homemaking Employment

“Less pressure to marry early and stay in the marriage no matter what”

Remarrying or divorce is more acceptable

(Asia and Oceania, 2003)

+The Definition of a Successful Women

College Graduate from good school

Have a good career More important prior to marriage

Be married before 30 years of age Heterosexual

Have children

Take care of the home It is not accepted for men to be stay-at-home fathers Women primarily have this role

(H.K., personal communication, August 29, 2010)

+References

South Korea Statistics (2010). National geographic atlas of the world (8th ed.) Found from national geographic electronic website: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/south-korea-facts/

Asia and Oceania. (2003). In L. Walter & M. Desai (Eds.), The greenwood encyclopedia of women’s issues worldwide (pp. 241-264). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.