Different approaches to education between South Korean and the United States
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO EDUCATION: SOUTH KOREA
AND THE UNITED STATES
On August 15th 1945, Korea regained independence from the Japanese for thirty five years of foreign occupation. Under the trusteeship of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1948, South Korea established the Republic of Korea; while, North Korea set up the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Unfortunately, because of the deep conflict between ideologies, a war broke out between the two Koreas just few years later, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people from starvation. The Korean economy was destroyed. There were neither natural resources nor infrastructures. As results of the devastation, the Korean government had to find practical solutions, not theories and had to improve South Korean education system for its recovery. Could she complete with western nations in this respect? The United States definitely had nothing in common with South Korea in terms of historical background and resent history. However, both countries achieved tremendous economic growth within short periods, by pursuing different approaches to motives and methods in education. In South Korea, study has special meaning itself. Ever since South Korean people have survived the tragedy of occupation and war, the studying has become the means of acquiring social status and economic security. Therefore, in Korean society there is tremendous pressure which puts value on a high salary and highly reputed social position on the students. The parents think that once their children are safely employed as lawyers, doctors, or politicians, they will not have to be concerned about economic security. In contrast, in the United States, education is the means to self-fulfillment. The students study to obtain knowledge about various fields. Furthermore, in the United States, well developed public welfare is provided. With such welfare, students are free from such concerns that bother Korean students.
AND THE UNITED STATES
On August 15th 1945, Korea regained independence from the Japanese for thirty five years of foreign occupation. Under the trusteeship of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1948, South Korea established the Republic of Korea; while, North Korea set up the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Unfortunately, because of the deep conflict between ideologies, a war broke out between the two Koreas just few years later, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people from starvation. The Korean economy was destroyed. There were neither natural resources nor infrastructures. As results of the devastation, the Korean government had to find practical solutions, not theories and had to improve South Korean education system for its recovery. Could she complete with western nations in this respect? The United States definitely had nothing in common with South Korea in terms of historical background and resent history. However, both countries achieved tremendous economic growth within short periods, by pursuing different approaches to motives and methods in education. In South Korea, study has special meaning itself. Ever since South Korean people have survived the tragedy of occupation and war, the studying has become the means of acquiring social status and economic security. Therefore, in Korean society there is tremendous pressure which puts value on a high salary and highly reputed social position on the students. The parents think that once their children are safely employed as lawyers, doctors, or politicians, they will not have to be concerned about economic security. In contrast, in the United States, education is the means to self-fulfillment. The students study to obtain knowledge about various fields. Furthermore, in the United States, well developed public welfare is provided. With such welfare, students are free from such concerns that bother Korean students.