A 

Abortion
Accounting
Advertising
Africa
African-American Studies
Aging
Agriculture
American Indian Studies
Anthropology
Archaeology
Architecture
Argumentative
Art: Artists (Alphabetized)
Art: General
Become an Affiliate and Earn $$$
Biographies (Alphabetized)
Book Reviews (Non-Fiction) (Alphabetized)
Business: Companies (Alphabetized)
Business: General
Business: Industries (Alphabetized)
Business: International
Business: Small
California
Canada
Caribbean
Child Abuse
China
Communication: Journalism
Communication: Language & Speech
Communication: Media
Communication: Non-Verbal
Communication: Television
Communication: Television & Children
Communism
Computer Science
Consumerism
Criminal Justice: General
Criminal Justice: Juvenile Delinquency
Criminal Justice: Police Science
Criminal Justice: Prisons
Cuba
Death & Dying: Euthanasia
Death & Dying: General
Death & Dying: Suicide
Drama: American
Drama: English
Drama: World
Drugs: Alcohol
Drugs: General
Economics: Banking
Economics: Economists (Alphabetized)
Economics: General
Economics: Inflation
Economics: International Trade
Economics: Macroeconomics
Economics: Microeconomics
Economics: Taxation
Education: Administration
Education: Curriculum
Education: General
Education: Higher
Education: Physical
Education: Psychology
Education: Reading
Education: Special
Education: Teaching Methods
Education: Theory
Energy: General
Energy: Nuclear
Energy: Solar
Environmental Studies
Evolution
Family & Marriage
Films: Artists (Alphabetized)
Films: General
Finance: Companies (Alphabetized)
Finance: General
Former Soviet Union: Post-1990
France
Gender & Sexuality
Geography
Germany
History: Ancient Greek & Roman
History: European
History: Great Britain
History: U.S. (After 1865)
History: U.S. (Before 1865)
History: U.S. Presidency
History: U.S. Presidents (Alphabetized)
Homosexuality
Immigration
India
Indonesia
International Relations: Arms Control
International Relations: Cold War
International Relations: Non-U.S.
International Relations: U.S.
Japan
Jewish Studies
Korea
Labor
Latin America
Law: Business
Law: Capital Punishment
Law: General
Law: International & Non-U.S.
Law: Supreme Court
Leadership
Literature, American: Authors (Alphabetized)
Literature, American: Faulkner
Literature, American: Fitzgerald
Literature, American: General
Literature, American: Hawthorne
Literature, American: Hemingway
Literature, American: Melville
Literature, American: Poe
Literature, American: Steinbeck
Literature, American: Twain
Literature, English: Authors (Alphabetized)
Literature, English: Chaucer
Literature, English: Conrad
Literature, English: Dickens
Literature, English: General
Literature, English: Joyce
Literature, English: Lawrence
Literature, English: Shakespeare
Literature, English: Swift
Literature, General: Children
Literature, General: Classic (Greek & Roman)
Literature, General: Russian
Literature, General: World
Management: General
Management: Japanese
Management: Motivation
Management: Theory
Management: Women
Marketing: Companies (Alphabetized)
Marketing: General
Marketing: Plans
Mathematics
Medical: Aids
Medical: Dentistry
Medical: Diseases & Disorders (Alphabetized)
Medical: General
Medical: Nursing
Mexican-American Studies
Mexico
Middle East: Egypt
Middle East: General
Middle East: O.P.E.C.
Military
Music: Classical
Music: General
Mythology
Nutrition
Parapsychology/Occult
Philosophy: Ancient Greek
Philosophy: Descartes
Philosophy: Eastern
Philosophy: General
Philosophy: Kant
Philosophy: Sartre
Poetry: American
Poetry: English
Poetry: Milton
Poetry: World
Political Science: Elections & Campaigns
Political Science: Foreign
Political Science: Lobbyists & Pressure Groups
Political Science: Machiavelli
Political Science: Mill
Political Science: Political Theory
Political Science: U.S.
Psychology: Behaviorism
Psychology: Child & Adolescent
Psychology: Disorders
Psychology: Dreams
Psychology: Experimental
Psychology: Freud
Psychology: General
Psychology: Jung
Psychology: Physiology
Psychology: Piaget
Psychology: Rogers
Psychology: Social
Psychology: Testing
Psychology: Therapies
Public Administration: General
Public Administration: Government Agencies (Alphabetized)
Racism
Real Estate
Recreation & Leisure
Religion: Eastern
Religion: General
Religion: Islam
Religion: The Bible
Research: Completed Studies (With Statistics & Results)
Research: Designs & Proposals
Research: Statistics & Methodology
Russia: Pre-1917 Revolution
Science: Astronomy
Science: Biology
Science: General
Science: Genetics
Sociology: Durkheim
Sociology: General
Sociology: Marx
Sociology: Social Problems
Sociology: Social Theory
Sociology: Social Welfare
Sociology: Weber
Soviet Union: 1917-1990
Sports: Drugs
Sports: General
Technology
Transportation: Automotive
Transportation: Aviation
Transportation: General
Transportation: Railroads
Urban Studies
Vietnam
Women Studies
 

SOUTH KOREAN VALUES.   Term Paper ID:18079 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Impact of Western influences on traditional culture. History, isolationism, modernization, social structure, role of women.... More...

7 Pages / 1575 Words 5 sources, 22 Citations, MLA Format $28.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: Impact of Western influences on traditional culture. History, isolationism, modernization, social structure, role of women. Paper Introduction: This paper will be concerned with the conflict between traditional values and Western influences in modern South Korea. Although Western influences are very strong in South Korea today, the nation as a whole has traditionally been resistant to all outside influences. For example, during the early history of the region, the nation of China had a powerful impact on the society and culture of both South Korea and Japan. In particular, China introduced the traditional values of Confucianism to both nations during that time. Nevertheless, "despite millennia of cultural and political ties with China, Korea maintained its individuality" (Kim 8). When Western missionaries and traders began arriving in Asia during the seventeenth century, most Koreans continued to be resistant to outside influences. Nevertheless, by the early Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. It has been noted that "notall Koreans welcome the absorption of foreign elements into the nation'scultural life, and some react with a sense of loss and contamination"(Hoare and Pares 138). Obviously, South Korea mustbecome somewhat Westernized in order for the nation to adapt to the modernworld. This action pavedthe way for increasing Western influences in Korea. Inparticular, China introduced the traditional values of Confucianism to bothnations during that time. Westerninfluences in recent years have caused this Confucian concept of socialorder to change in many respects. However, by theearly nineteenth century, many other Koreans had come to resent theinfluence that Western ways of thinking were having on the traditional wayof life in their country. For example, social class in South Koreatoday is based more on the Western ideals of education and wealth ratherthan the traditional ideals of heredity (Kim 29). Following the Second World War, the nation of South Korea has beensubjected to increasing influence from the West. Korea, Tradition and Transformation: A History of the Korean People. Such rapidchange, combined with the clash between traditional and Western values, hasresulted in a sense of conflict among the Korean people, some of whomaccept Westernization and some of whom reject it. force and exposure tovastly different cultural patterns" (Hoare and Pares 138). However, South Korea should makeevery possible effort to retain its valuable cultural legacy as found inits various traditions (Hills 4). At the sametime, however, there is a strong sense of tradition even among those SouthKoreans who have accepted Western values. Thus, in the early nineteenth century, Catholicsin Korea were subjected to bloody persecutions as the nation's leadersturned against the influence of the Westerners (Nahm 141). Nevertheless, "despite millennia of cultural andpolitical ties with China, Korea maintained its individuality" (Kim 8). Union City, CA: Heian, 1986.Nahm, Andrew C. At the sametime, however, Confucian values remain strong in South Korea in variousways. This paper will be concerned with the conflict between traditionalvalues and Western influences in modern South Korea. Furthermore, it has beennoted that "modern Korean society seldom reflects the Confucian ideals ofserenity and calm . This socialorder has traditionally been built on a strong class system, or"authoritarian hierarchy" which places "ruler over subject, parents overchildren, husband over wife, elder over younger" (Gibbons 234). One of the strongest impacts ofthe Western world can be seen in the rapid modernization and urbanizationwhich has occurred in South Korea since the 196 s. For example,during the early history of the region, the nation of China had a powerfulimpact on the society and culture of both South Korea and Japan. London: Kegan Paul, 1988.Kim, H. Edward. In particular, the influence ofConfucianism and its impact on social structure remains strong in SouthKorea today. "Revaluing South Korea's Heritage." History Today 37 (Apr. At the same time, the nation should retain some of its traditionalvalues, particularly those which are connected to its unique culturalheritage. In this regard, it has beennoted that "the vast majority of Koreans maintain their traditionalconservatism and behavioral patterns" (513). Despite thesepersecutions, however, many Koreans continued to be interested inCatholicism and Western thought, and this caused two conflicting ways ofthinking to arise in Korea which continue to exist to the present day. . However, thoseinfluences were to be short lived, as Japan occupied the nation of Korea inthe year 191 . The basic social structure in South Korea is based on the traditionalvalues of Confucianism which stress a stable social order. 1988): 232-257.Hills, Ann. AsSouth Korea became increasingly involved in trade with the West, the nationwas further exposed to Western influences. Inrecent years, the status of women in South Korea has vastly improved, andtoday many women in that nation are actively involved in the work force.Women in South Korea today are becoming increasingly influenced by thegains toward liberation and equality being made by women in the Westernworld. . Korea: An Introduction. In the lateeighteenth century, Christian ideas in the form of Catholicism began makingtheir way to Korea. As ayoung girl, the woman was subordinated to her father. By merging the traditional values of Confucianism withWestern ways of thinking, South Koreans are able to arrive at "a uniqueperspective on themselves and the world" (28-29). Many Korean scholars were attracted to Catholicism andthe concepts of "Western Learning" which it embraced. This occupation continued until the end of World War Two.Then, in 1945, Korea was split into two parts as the Soviet Union tookcontrol in the north and the United States took control in the south. When Western missionaries and traders began arriving in Asia duringthe seventeenth century, most Koreans continued to be resistant to outsideinfluences. The traditional social structure in which women are placed atthe bottom has clearly become outdated. Clearly, Western values havedisplaced traditional ones in South Korea in these respects. Although Western values are growing stronger with each passing yearin South Korea, at the same time the traditional values of the nationcontinue to play a vital role in modern times. Traditionally,women have been subordinated to the men in South Korean society. Nevertheless, by the early eighteenth century, many Koreanleaders began thinking that Western influences could have a positive impacton the nation's economic growth. One writer has pointed outthat many Westerners visiting South Korea may become confused over the wayin which traditional and Western values have been merged among the peoplethere. In 1882, Korean leaders finally agreed to trade relations withvarious Western powers, although it has been noted that the Koreans did soonly because they felt they were "under pressure" (241). Koreans are intense, visceral, impatient,fractious, [and] raucous." (Gibbons 239). During thattime, Korea remained opposed to outside influences and thus came to beknown as the "Hermit Kingdom." In the late nineteenth century, however,Western powers, such as the United States, Britain, Russia, Germany andFrance, became interested in the economic potential of doing business withKorea, and the nation became a "battleground of foreign power conflicts"(Kim 9). It has been noted that"liberation from Japan brought an occupying U.S. 1987): 3-4.Hoare, James, and Susan Pares. Western influences in South Korea today can be seen in such things astelevision, entertainment, clothing styles, architecture, art, and music.Because of such influences, "a drastic change occurred in moral and ethicalvalues and practices among urbanized Koreans as modern social relations anda modern way of thinking and acting became widely accepted" (Nahm 51 ).This has resulted in conflict among older Koreans who favor the traditionalapproach to culture and society, and younger Koreans, many of whom haveaccepted the Westernized values of the modern way of life. However, a solution to this problem can be found inthe merging of Western and traditional values. The conflict between traditional and Western values in South Koreacan also be seen in the role of women in the society there. Throughout the nineteenth century, China and Japan becameincreasingly receptive to the influences of the Western world. However, despite these positive steps, women in South Koreacontinue to hold a very low position in the overall social structure. In the traditional society, theKorean woman's job was simply to raise children and manage the home. One writer on SouthKorea has noted that "the agrarian Confucian society of the village hasbeen wrenched into this century almost overnight" (254). When she grew up,she became subordinated to her husband. Although Westerninfluences are very strong in South Korea today, the nation as a whole hastraditionally been resistant to all outside influences. Thus, the problem of theconflict between traditional values and Western influences in South Koreacan best be resolved through accepting both orientations and adapting themboth to the modern environment. The influenceof the West became even stronger during the 196 s. This was due largely tothe fact that "in 1961 General Park Chung Hee seized power by coup andsurrounded himself with economists educated in the West" (Gibbons 236). Thus, many Koreans at that time beganthinking that "foreign ideas in general and European commercial enterprisein particular should be seriously considered" (Kim 58). Thenation as a whole is still considered "a male-oriented society," and womenare still looked upon for the most part as "men's servants" (Gibbons 244). "The South Koreans." National Geographic 174 (Aug. Facts About Korea. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym, 1988.----------------------- 1 For example, the family continues to be the basis of socialstructure in modern South Korea just as it had during Confucian times. Thus, "the newcomer to South Korea may feel for a while he is in alargely westernised country, but soon he will realise there is much he doesnot understand as he is confronted with basic Korean instincts andresponses" (Hoare and Pares 118). The merging of Western and traditionalvalues in South Korea will not necessarily result in cultural debasement orloss. Works CitedGibbons, Boyd. In fact, it has been indicated that "a renewed confidence and pridehave resulted in an evaluation of the new in the light of traditionalvalues" (Kim 28). Inaddition, modern South Koreans continue to show a great deal of respect totheir elders despite the fact that they are no longer legally bound to doso. Thus, "despite numerous modern changes, South Korean societyremains traditional in many respects" (513). If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.