유교(儒敎)의 자녀교육론에 관한 연구(硏究) = A Study on the Child Education Theory of Confucianism

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Human mind has both original nature and selfish desire. If the benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom (仁義禮智) is expressed just and right, the heart is filled with original purities. Because the original mind is given commonly to everybody and is unchanging, we can read others` mind if we see them in this mind. When the original nature is distorted and refracted by selfish calculation, however, the heart is dominated by selfish desire. Selfish desire changes continuously depending on my profit and loss and it seeks my own interest as the top priority. Therefore, it is easily indifferent to others` positions and profits, and to wounds possibly inflicted on others. In child education as well, if we treat children with a pure original mind commonly given to everybody, we can think from their position about what they really want and how we treat them wisely and are able to listen carefully to and feel sympathy with what they say. If the parents` selfish desire is put forward, however, they value only their own position and force their will upon their children without listening attentively to what the children want and what trouble them. Such parents tend to have the strong belief that their children must win in the competitive society at all costs, and as a result they compare their children with others and keep them from associating with anyone inferior to them. If one is compared with other children he may be hurt in his heart and feel a sense of inferiority, and if one is forced to make a friend with those superior to him he may look down on those inferior to him. What is more, many families send their young children overseas to study for the children`s better academic qualification in the overly competitive society, and their mothers often go together to take care of them. Then the fathers left alone occasionally commit suicide out of loneliness and depression. Commitment to child education has resulted in the negligence of the husband. The Confucian theory of child education attaches importance to the happiness of parents and husband-wife and emphasizes the unity of parents and children and parents` being exemplary to their children. In particular, parents should be a refuge or a steady prop for their children when they are tired of competition and are in need of comfort in their soul. When children become one with their parents, their autonomy and self-esteem are enhanced and, as a result, more easily they can overcome difficulties and be recovered from a wound in their heart happening in the competitive society. What is more, as parents set an example to their children, the family becomes more harmonious, and in the peaceful atmosphere the children perform their filial duties to their parents more naturally. As much as they perform filial duties to their parents, children respect other seniors outside home and become generous to everybody including those in a poor environment and therefore they can establish amiable human relations. This is why our contemporary society should give attention to the Confucian child education theory