Korean Job Discussion Forums

[maximmm]

I think the experiences of bi-racial kids here will vary from being very positive or very negative. Seldom, however, will they be neutral.

Hence, you have parents that scream 'they are so popular here!' to parents that say 'they are having major issues with racism/discrimination'.

Those that say that their kids are popular and have absolutely no problems have to remember that the instances of bi-racial kids in Korea being discriminated against are too many to count, even in today's Korea.

There are, I suspect, many factors that come into play when determining how much discrimination (if any) your kid may experience. The skin color/teacher's views on bi-racial kids/appearance (some appear more Asian than others) are all important factors. Being different from the peers does increase the odds of a kid being discriminated/bullied at school, but I suppose it also increases the odds of a kid becoming a star of a sort. This, of course, reinforces the notion that kids will seldom encounter neutral treatment. This is factually true not only in Korea but in pretty much every other nation in the world.

Having said that, I do think that the odds of a bi-racial kid having negative experience are a bit higher here than they are elsewhere (Japan not withstanding) due to the existence of pure-blood concept.

[joelove]

I guess that sums it up. The pure blood myth lingers and still plays an important role. It makes ya wonder how many children will be taught and learn to believe this nonsense. How many will believe in their own "unmixed" genetic superiority or their specialness? If there are many adults believing in a thing, you can be sure many children will come to believe it too.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

The majority of people who left Korea don't post on this forum anymore, so you do get a bias toward those that chose to stay.

[Captain Corea]

[tob55]

If you get right down to it, my daughter is likely to have far less problems being a child from a bi-racial family, who is of dual nationality than I face as someone who received Korean naturalization as an adult.

What I mean is that from her perspective she has the opportunity to see change in the way she is perceived by others, while on the other hand, as an adult I am likely to face indefinitely the constant barrage of comments from Korean nationals, referring to me as a foreigner, regarless of my legal status as a Korean citizen.

I read through all the posts on this thread, and everyone is making their point for a position on the issue, but really we should remember that the purpose of an article like the one that was written in the Korea Times or any major news outlet anywhere in the world is not devoid of a given "agenda."

Go to any country in the world and children will face the same things they face here. Racism or the propensity for discrimination is not territorial or bound by cultural mores. It takes educating ourselves and others to the fact that we all have a responsibility to do our best in letting those we love know and understand that they do not have to be seen as "different" or "less important" in the eyes of anyone.

My daughter is too young to understand this conversation right now at 16 months old, but someday in the future when she is able to understand it, I hope she is able to say proudly that she is who she is, and that others should respect the fact that her heritage, while unique in some ways, is what makes her the great person she is. IMHO

[NohopeSeriously]

I'm a gyopo and if I get to marry a K-woman and eventually have school-aged kids, the whole family should leave Korea ASAP.

Korea is not a suitable country for ethnic Koreans who were raised in the West Civilization.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[jvalmer]

[chrisinkorea2011]

I am a product of a korean mother and german/cherokee indian father and I have no problems saying "mixed, half, etc" there really is nothing wrong with that term.

As for the person who stated that the chinese form of 혼 meaning something, in that form of 혼혈 it is more apt to mean mixed/blended which i think is a positive term.

Of course i tell all the koreans I know who compliment me that im a "hybrid" to confuse the hell out of them ^^

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[Captain Corea]

[chrisinkorea2011]

[Adam Carolla]

[T-J]

[Adam Carolla]