Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jennad]

Thoughts anyone? I've heard women are generally not treated well there....but does t his extend to foreigners?

[BaldTeacher]

I don't think it's as bad as they say. It's definitely different from the West though, where men are devalued and women are put on pedestals.

Edit: I'd also like to add that I know of many Western women who enjoy themselves in Korea and resigned for second and third years.

[jvalmer]

It isn't that bad here for women. The problem is in the the professions where women still have an uphill battle to advance. Also remember, up to the mid-90's women were expected to stay home after birth, and teaching was one of the few professions women could freely enter.

[dongjak]

Women here are treated like delicate flowers who are incapable of doing any sort of physical work or labor. As a foreign women, this perception tends not to apply to you, but be prepared to get surprised looks when you tell people you know how to swim and have run marathons.

[AmericanBornKorean]

[ThingsComeAround]

damn shame.

nothing more beautiful than an athletic woman!!

[redaxe]

When I first came to Korea I could not fathom the concept of a non-landlocked nation where few of the men and almost none of the women know how to swim. But apparently not knowing how to swim is very common in Asia.

[discostu333]

In context, I think women have it better than a lot of westerners think. Sure, the pressure is there for them to get married to a rich husband, quit work, have kids etc but I think its a lot less than other Asian countries and times are changing really fast.

In relationships, Korean aggashis seem to have all the power. Many young Korean friends have told me this directly. Aggashis may seem quiet and weak, but they sure as hell know how to manipulate guys into getting what they want (how many dudes do you know back home who carry their girlfriends handbags, call them 10 times a day and shower them with gifts at every opportunity?).

Then there are the adjummas, the most feisty, strong-willed and powerful women I have ever seen. They control the family purse strings, and rule with an iron fist.

There's a lot going on in Korean domestic life that the untrained waeguk eye often misses.

[minos]

[Globutron]

It's amusing how often I see korean guys holding handbags to release the heavy strain from the shoulders of the feeble females they are with.
If I was a female I'd be pretty offended.

It's typical British etiquette to take heavy bags from a girl, but the handbag? With all her personal belongings she may require at every instant... seems like more hassle than its worth.

[misher]

[misher]

Apologies for going off topic.

To answer the OP's question, I would say that foreign women are treated quite well here. My coworkers get all kinds of extra private classes because of their gender. Most Korean business women want a female teacher. Adjossis do as well. Being female is actually quite a big advantage with Korean adults from what I've seen.

[Sector7G]

[Tundra_Creature]

[BaldTeacher]