Korean Job Discussion Forums

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Talking to a friend the other day and she said, "I might want to marry a western guy, but I don't want to leave Korea"

I basically told her that I thought no Western dude would ever want to raise a family in Korea. Aside from some of the strange cultural habits, I was saying that kids in Korea aren't really kids.

They have way too much school and way too little fun. Kids should be finishing school aroung 3:30 and then playing sports (chess for the cool kids Wink

), or whatever else they think is fun.

Plus, being from Canada, it's just such a chillin' and safe place to grow up ... aside from Toronto these days.

I told her we (western people) would happily marry a Korean, spend a few years here to make some easy money, but once the kids start popping out, it's back home we would want to go.

Am I accurate here?

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

I'd be happy to do it up till the age of about 6, people love kids here, it's just a shame they have to work so hard when they hit school

peppermint · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 4:22 pm Post subject:

I don't think it's that the actual school system is so rough on the kids, it's that it's so easy on them in relation to the uni entrance exam. That's why the kids have to go to a million hagwons each day. That and a culture that discourages free time. .

VanIslander · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 4:30 pm Post subject:

I'd do it if, and only if, I could spend months every year or two overseas with the child, to help 'em get a broader perspective on the world.

The extra schooling in Korea I see as an advantage though, because you can choose a martial arts academy, baduk academy, whatever academy, if they like those things, with plenty of time to hang out at home as kids do back home. I admit the teenage years could be more difficult. But in a bigger Korean city it'd be possible to meet other kids to do things with after school, other foreign kids or kids whose parents cannot afford many hagwons.

Scott in HK · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 4:33 pm Post subject:

We are moving back to Korea to order to raise our kids here for a while.

We plan to send our two girls (now 3 and 1...and so much cuter than sparkle's girl that i haven't posted their pictures as i wouldn't want to be repsonsible for crushing a man's heart Laughing

)...anyway...we plan to stay here until the oldest one finishes primary school...

We don't need to worry about the school pressure as I don't plan to put any pressure on them. I don't really care how they perform in the Korean school system as I plan to keep up their studies at home. I expect to have some disagreements with Korean teachers about homework and such. We won't be sending them to hakwons...I can teach them English and Math...and my wife will do art with them. They may want to go to a music school but that will be up to them.

I think many people want their kids to have the same upbringing that they did. For me that was small town Ontario. I would love to bring my kids up that way, but I personally don't want to live in a small town now. My wife grew up in Incheon, where we are going to live. She enjoyed her childhood as well. I think as long as the child's homelife is good, then their childhood will be good. It doesn't really matter where they grow up.

So, no...I don't think you are accurate.

Kristsoy · Joined: 23 Mar 2004

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

No way would I raise children here...but then, as a Westerner, I'd raise them much differently.

The problem I have is that when they're young, they're free to do anything (and this means anything...). You have kids screaming at restaurants, standing on tables, demanding treats, ordering their mothers around, etc. Then, as they get older, they are buckled down with homework and rules.

In the west, we teach them young to obey, and give them many rules, then as they get older, we let them have more responsibility and fewer rules. We let them begin to choose what they want to do. Not here! The kids here are burdened by school and have no free time in high school. A system that makes children study and do homework until 1 or 2 am, then get up at 6 to go to school is not a good one.

My husband and I have talked a lot about our future kids because of the poor parenting style we've seen here.

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

My oldest child is 4. We'll be leaving Korea around the time he turns 5. Not because there have been any problems raising him in Korea. We wouldn't mind sending him to a Korean elementary school for a couple of years. He hasn't had any problems in the daycare system.

We are leaving because my wife and I are sick of teaching and I'm sick of living in Korea.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Ah, where is the option for, "YES"?

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

If I had a high paying, stable job I would, but my wife thinks it will be better not to send our kids to Korean schools.

I think she is correct. I think Korea is about 50 years behind the West on racial tolerance.

Plus I don't want my kid cleaning bathrooms at their school.....

danyuk · Joined: 17 Jun 2003

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003