Korean Job Discussion Forums

nzboy01 · Joined: 02 May 2005 Location: yongin

I am of European descent, and my Korean wife is about to give birth to our first child.
We were wondering if anyone else has a mixed child in Korea. If so where do you educate your child, and how is it treated by it's Korean peers. Does a mixed child have a chance of a positive future in this country?
Thanks for any advice.

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

There's a bunch of threads regarding this topic, do a search and you'll find some interesting comments. Just ignore those from people who don't actually have children as they are just giving their preconceived perceptions based upon what they 'think' a mixed children might experience based upon their own usually negative experiences as ESL teachers.

My experience
Koreans have shown nothing but warmth and generosity towards my son and I'm sure if we were to stay in Korea he would have a bright future here. However I would never send my child to a Korean high school based upon my experiences working in them, not because he would be discriminated in any way (we had a half British/half Japanese Korean student last year who was hugely popular) but the education sucks and some teachers are viscious swine.

My son's only 19 months old perhaps someone whose child is older might reply and give you a different perspective.

Good luck!

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Fidel, your information is valuable, but I have to say... how can you give much advice to someone and discredit other posters when your baby is only 19 months? Anyone from just about any country is thrilled to squeeze the cheeks of a cute baby.

From what I've read on here before, the problems start when the kid goes to elementary school. Bullying, teasing, etc., are common but depends a lot on the kids and atmosphere.

I think you'll find that most foreigners choose to educate their children at an international school (which can be difficult to afford) or move back home.

No, I don't have kids yet, but I have followed a lot of these threads. They seem rather enjoyable to read.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

nzboy01 · Joined: 02 May 2005 Location: yongin

Fidel Wrote:
My experience
Koreans have shown nothing but warmth and generosity towards my son and I'm sure if we were to stay in Korea he would have a bright future here. However I would never send my child to a Korean high school based upon my experiences working in them, not because he would be discriminated in any way (we had a half British/half Japanese Korean student last year who was hugely popular) but the education sucks and some teachers are viscious swine.

My son's only 19 months old perhaps someone whose child is older might reply and give you a different perspective.

Good luck!Thanks for the advice, it's reassuring.
Go the warriors.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

My son's in a playgroup and most surely interacts with Korean children everyday. At that age they haven't learnt any 'hate' from their parents. In fact their parents are just like parents from back home (NZ) and show no animosity towards my son just because he is not full blooded Korean.

Don't believe in what the bitter posters you come across in Daves say about parenthood in Korea unless they are parents themselves. If they aren't, then their (usually) negative opinions carry no weight.

I knew Derrick would jump in ass first but I'm surprised these posters haven't joined him

Rapier
Real Reality
Jajdude

Let's just ignore Derrick and leave him to his anecdotes about high school girls and their mothers.

Medic · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

Was at a camp in Masan at a college in the summer, and one of the resident expats in the English Department put his two children in a Korean school. (he was also a paster at the college English Church). The kids loved it, but the parents freaked out when they would use Korean around the house. They decided that sending them to a Korean school based on that premise wasn't a good idea.

lastat06513 · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 10:42 pm Post subject:

I can tell you, things have changed alot since, say1997 or even 1999, the only mixed children you were able to see were the children whose parents worked at the bases.
During that time, if a Korean woman had a mixed child, it was like a scarlet letter on them (given rise to the korean term "�쳢 ���", which is more of an insult). The child barely saw the light of day for the simple fact that if anyone else saw the child, it would bring disgrace on the family. Alot of mothers wouldn't even keep them, just throw them in an orphanage or send them overseas

Also the child had no rights; couldn't be put on the registry, not allowed to go to school, and barred from getting insurance and even military service.

I know it also might be more tolerable in a big city like Seoul, but what about Wonju, Waegwan, Donducheon, and Pyongtaek?

To say that you are right and discounting everyone else is complete bolderdash. You have never met a Korean single mother who is raising a mixed child from a person who was here for a year and then left.

Thank about it...

enough said...