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Respect for the elderly
Although slowly fading away, showing respect for the elderly, especially for your parents and your grandparents is probably a tradition that we ,Koreans, value the most highly. Parents and school instill this Confucius belief into children and believe that this is the best education that they can give to them. We are taught to respect older people and to always put their interests before ours. Historically speaking, Korea was dubbed the Country of Courtesy and Politeness back in Choson Dynasty by its neighboring countries. This tradition has been looked upon as the backbone of our culture for so many years. However, in my eye, this custom is like a double-edged sword that has both negative and positive impacts on the Korean society.
Without a single doubt, respect for the elderly does have a positive influence. No one can deny the fact that it is nice to have a tradition that oblige us to be kind, well-mannered and respectful towards the old and the weak. For instance, Koreans offer seats to elders when they are around. If not doing so, no matter who you are, you get frowned upon, because it is a big no-no. It is not up to our personal choice. It is rather a social rule that we all are recommended to abide by. Another example is we esteem thoughts and points of views of the elders, which is a good thing in some ways. However, the negative aspect of it is that we are taught not to talk back, criticize their points of views under any circumstances, since it is regarded as a rude behavior. When having conversations, many older people in Korea get easily offended when younger people have opposing ideas and criticize their viewpoints, which is hardly seen in Western cultures. It is regrettable that people who challenge older people's ways of thinking are still deemed impolite and ungrateful in this country. This is one of the reasons why the Korean education is under severe criticism both home and abroad, because it hinders youngsters from developing creative minds.
So deeply entrenched in the Korean culture, this tradition has been a source of social harmony and feuds among generations. Hopefully, we will find the middle ground where we can respect both young and old, because society cannot be one-sided, it should be built on mutual respect and communication.
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Saturday, October 2, 2010
Page 49 essay first draft 200601024 Noh Young Sun
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To Noh Youngseon From Yu Hyelee(200902149 ELI)
ReplyDeleteAssignment 2010-10-02
1. What I like about this piece of writing is the introduction part. I like it because I could fully understand what you’re going to write about. Besides, your explanations about korea’s status of repecting the elders help the readers to understand Korea’s situation well.
2. Your main point seems to be two sides of repecting elders in Korea.
3. “In my eye, this custom is like a double-edged sword that has both negative and positive impacts on the Korean society.” struck me strongly because it makes clear about your writing very well.
4. Some things aren’t clear to me; “No one can deny the fact that it is nice to have a tradition that oblige us to be kind, well-mannered and respectful towards the old and the weak.” Because at the last part, you wrote “the weak” but I think this word could mean not only the old but also the young so I think it would be much better if you erase or change it.
5. The one change you could make that would make the biggest improvement in this piece of writing is the conclusion part. It ends well but I think it’s bit too abstract. If you specify this part little bit more, then it will be a perfect piece.
To Noh Youngseon From Kim si eun (200900547)
ReplyDelete1.what i like about this piece of writing is your topic! I also knew about our respect but didin't think it as topic. your topic choice is perfect.
2.Your main point seems to be respctinf the old
and its influence.
3.'Although slowly fading away, showing respect for the elderly, especially for your parents and your grandparents is probably a tradition that we ,Koreans, value the most highly' i think this can hook reader.
4.'why the Korean education is under severe criticism' I know what you mean ,but it's a little akward for me.
5.The one change you could make that would make the biggest improvement in this piece of writing is giving more details in your writing. If you write more detail like your feeling, your writing will be perfect for descriptive writing.
p.49~51 Korean tradition second draft
ReplyDeleteRespect for the Elderly
Although slowly fading away, showing respect for the elderly, especially for your parents and your grandparents is probably a tradition that we ,Koreans, value the most. Parents and school instill this Confucius belief into children and believe that this is the best education that they can give to them. We are taught to respect older people and to always put their interests before ours. Historically speaking, Korea was dubbed the Country of Courtesy and Politeness back in the Choson Dynasty by its neighboring countries. This tradition has been looked upon as the backbone of our culture for so many years. However, in my eye, this custom is like a double-edged sword that has both negative and positive impacts on the Korean society.
Without a single doubt, respect for the elderly does have a positive influence. No one can deny the fact that it is nice to have a tradition that oblige us to be kind, well-mannered and respectful towards the old and the weak. For instance, Koreans offer seats to elders when they are around. If not doing so, no matter who you are, you get frowned upon, because it is a big no-no. A few years ago, I got on a bus to go to Hufs and took a seat as soon as I spotted an empty seat. I started dozing off , since I had stayed up all night the day before cramming for the mid-term exams. Moments later, someone nudged me in the arm several times. I felt extremely offended and lifted my head to face this person. If glances could kill, I would have been dead on the spot at that moment. She told me that I was such a brat, since I did not bother to offer the seat to the old lady who was on her cane, standing right in front of me. I stood up immediately and did what I was told to do, feeling extremely bitter. This custom is not a matter of our personal choice. It is rather a social rule that we all are recommended to abide by. Another example is we esteem thoughts and points of views of the elders, which is a good thing in some ways. However, the negative aspect of it is that we are taught not to talk back, criticize their points of views under any circumstances, since it is regarded as a rude behavior. When having conversations, many older people in Korea get easily offended when younger people have opposing ideas and criticize their viewpoints, which is hardly seen in Western cultures. For instance, my dad is a typical Korean father who is very loving and caring, but authoritative and opinionated. More often than not, I do not see eye to eye on many things with him, so what start off as casual conversations turn into contentious debates. Usually , younger people give in recoiling at the idea of trying to change older people's ways of thinking. However, I always miss a cue, and this pushes his button. At the end of the day, I am branded as a ungrateful, spoiled brat. It is regrettable that people who challenge older people's ways of thinking are still deemed impolite and ungrateful in this country. This is one of the reasons why the Korean education is under severe criticism both home and abroad, because it hinders youngsters from developing creative minds.
So deeply entrenched in the Korean culture, this tradition has been a source of social harmony and feuds among generations. Hopefully, we will find the middle ground where we can respect both young and old, because society cannot be one-sided, it should be built on mutual respect and communication.