The goal of this thesis is to observe the familism of the Chos n Dynasty which can be regarded as the origin of Contemporary Korean familism, and to examine the developments of the familism over the past few centuries. Based on these findings, this pa...
The goal of this thesis is to observe the familism of the Chos n Dynasty which can be regarded as the origin of Contemporary Korean familism, and to examine the developments of the familism over the past few centuries. Based on these findings, this paper attempts to analyze an comprehensive structure of the familism of Korea. Early studies on Korean Familism tend to adress its ideological tendencies not sufficiently. In this paper, the focus is given on the "family" as a socio-cultural unit. "Familism" which is the central governing principle in Korean families has been related to the individual, the family and the society. In accordance with the understanding the current concepts of Korean familism were regrouped and reorganized. At the same time, the background of familism in Korea, its developmental process and its current state were examined in a comprehensive way. In this manner, the ideological nature of Korean familism and the socio-cultural symptoms resulting from the individual adaption of Koreans to this familism are verified. Examining these cultural ripple effects is part of the research object of this paper.
The thesis can be divided into two large parts. The first part deals with research and analysis of written materials on the fundamental idea of familism, its developmental process, current state, changes and the resulting socio-cultural impacts in modern times. The second part is about a demonstrative study seeking to understand, by formulating the scale for traditional familism, the level of continuity of traditional familism in Korea. The study also seeks to examine the resulting cultural tendencies by measuring the tendencies of individualism and collectivism in Korea.
According to written records, Koreas familism is based on the Confucian value of "ka(家)" (meaning "The Family") and has placed an emphasis on patrilineage(父系), respect of elders(長幼有序), filial piety(孝), ancestor worship(祖上崇拜), and the continuity of the patrilineal family(父系 家系繼承). Such a philosophy was handed down throughout the whole Chos n era and its effects are still perceived in the contemporary Korean society in the form of the cultural unconscious and ideology. The familism manifested in the present day can be seen as a modified form of the traditional one with instrumental, emotional, quasi-familisms and family centrism incorporated.
Through the experimental study, one could easily note that traditional familism ideology is still alive. The study also shows that the Korean social character as assessed by the tendencies of individualism and collectivism is predominantly individualistic despite of collective emotion of the society as a whole ( as we have seen that 64.6% of the respondents manifested a tendency of individualism ). Moreover, the tendencies of individualism and collectivism vary depending on the level of awareness of the traditional familism ideology. It was also evident that the Korean familism, as a major factor influencing the tendencies of individualism and collectivism of the Korean individual, made the foundation of Koreas social culture. However, the level of awareness of the familism ideology depends on the social tendencies of the individual and It is seen that the tendencies of individualism and collectivism can be also different. Lastly, one can clearly see that the more complicated is the society, the more significant is the individuals adaptation to society.
The conclusion of the research and its implication are as follows:
First, Koreas family ideology today continues to reflect traditional familism, marked by "ideals of the stem family" with an accent on the authority of the patrilineal family and the continuation of that lineage. However, the actual changes in family lifestyle show that a gap is being created between the ideals and reality of Koreas familism and subsequently a disparity exists between the ideal family and the actual family.
Secondiy, respondents who have different family ideology seem differently in individualistic/collectivist tendencies as well. This demonstrates the existence of a relationship between family culture and social culture; but, there is another thing between the family and social cultures, and it is called the "individual adaptation", a result of this thesis, which can be understood through the manifestation of family ideology and socio-cultural qualities which are dependent on the individuals social tendencies, and through Francis L. K. Hsus Psychosocial Homeostasis.
Thirdly, the fact that 64.6% of these respondents showed a tendency of individualism makes it possible to estimate the direction of future developments of the Korean society. One should also consider the possibility of individualistic behavior in an emotionally collectivist society being interpreted as egoistic.
Fourthly, the ideological inclination of Koreas familism is apparent in everyday life. Subsequently, it is quite possible that the cultural unconscious which is explained by such inclination will continue to be a basis in the lives of Koreans under the banner of "cultural tradition".
Fifthly, "the family" as a unit of explanation of social culture is not only of importance for its mediating role between the individual and the society, but also for its usefulness as a "specific framework" for tangible research topics as family life culture. Furthermore, "the family", as a specific unit of cultural analysis, reflects the importance level of family ideology in a given society and therefore serves as an useful measurment for the influence of "family culture" on the social culture.
The methodology used in this research is significant in that, in order to present a comprehensive investigation of Koreas family and familism, an interdisciplinary approach encompassing the "family-related" fields of religion, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology and family studies was utilized. In addition, resorting to extensive reading of written materials and utilizing social survey methodologies enriched the research both in quality and in quantity. It is the authors belief that this research will contribute to formulation of a methodology of Korean Studies, from the perspective of cultural studies using a interdisciplinary approach. It is also hoped that the limit of this paper can be improved by subsequent future research in the field of "Family Studies" and "Korean Studies".