Education and Family in Korean Society

Abstract

From the traditional times to the present, education has long been considered paramount in Korean society. During the Joseon era, competition to pass the civil service examination was fierce among the members of yangban class. With the downfall of the traditional status system, the Korean society during the Japanese colonial period displayed a society-wide drive for elevation of status through education. “Education fever,” a neologism referring to the fierce competition for prestigious degrees, has continued to be an important topic for public discourse ever since. Korea began to experience the effects of neo-liberalism in the 1990s, and educational institutions and policies were not exception. While “education fever” has long existed in Korea, today’s realization of it is heavily influenced by neo-liberalism. In the relationship between education and family, not only does the family background influence children’s achievements in education, the rigors and demands of the children’s education also significantly influence their families’ economic lives and patterns of livelihood. Despite the hardships, many Korean families continue supporting their children’s education so that their children can have the chance to prosper in the ultra-competitive Korean society.