MEMBERS & VISITORS
SOUTH KOREA IS A CASE STUDY IN DISCIPLINE
SOUTH KOREA IS A CASE STUDY IN DISCIPLINE
It’s amazing to know that in the mid 20th century, South Korea was one of the poorest, least developed countries in Asia. The road it followed to prosperity and power is lined with discipline and an iron will. I saw this during the time that I taught young Koreans during a massive slowdown in the U.S. economy.
Crowding and congestion meant that a family member would place old tires by the curb indicating that the family car would have a reserved parking space. Small restaurants would deliver meals on demand to anybody with money and the dirty dishes would be placed neatly by the customer’s entrance until a restaurant worker would come to collect them the next day. Nobody would dare steal any of these many dishes. Bicycle owners, of which there were many of all ages, would lean their bikes against a tree or wall all day and all night, comfortable in the fact that nobody would steal it. Honor trumped corruption the vast majority of the time. The general environment was normally neat and tidy but the most admirable traits lie in the homes… I was a teacher but I learned far more than I ever taught.
The average korean family would spend from 1/3 to 1/2 of their income on their childrens’ education: school fees, tutoring, extra-curricular activities, school uniforms, field trips, educational games, books, and more. Many of my students as young as 6 years old, would awaken by 4:30 AM, prepare for the day, and study until 7 AM, whereupon they would eat a good breakfast then depart for school. After school they would go to another learning academy and take more classes until 8 PM. Then off to home, supper, and more study until 10-11 PM. Few people enjoyed exceptionally sweet foods unlike children and adults in the western world. Shop owners in the neighborhood would often keep their stores open until midnight then arrive the next morning by 5:30 to begin a new business day. Phew! You can imagine a family’s indignation when their Harvard ready offspring would be denied admission because their “social skills” were downgraded during their interviews with school officials. The good news is that these families won a class action lawsuit against Harvard because it was proven that Harvard did not want such a high percentage of its coveted freshman slots dominated by asian students thus upsetting supply and demand and its jaded meritocracy.
All I know is that the children I taught were wonderful human beings first and foremost so my Korean soujourn was dripping with good memories. The children loved for me to tell them stories using hand puppets. I found a treasure trove of wondrous folk tales from ancient Korea, some of which I animated for your pleasure. Enjoy “The Stone Bell” which I have included in this video.
Watch also:
A) KOREAN STUDENTS’ STRESS
B) Two Brothers
C) Abandoning The Old Ones
D) Green Frog
E) Two Tales Of Tricks
F) A Cup Of Rice
G) Abandoning The Old Ones 2
Prof. Oku Singer
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