Korean Job Discussion Forums

UncleAlex · Joined: 04 Apr 2003

It makes no difference where you get your hair cut
in this country. Even the so-called barbers and hair
stylists, who can do nothing but give "permas" are
nothing but a bunch of butchers. A lot of kids are
getting wise about these "beauty shops" and fear
visiting these places and getting scalped and nicked.
That's why they don't get their hair cut and violate
school regulations. If one is going to get scalped
anyway, may as well do it for free. Cool

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

the hair policy is much more lenient these days compared to 10 years ago! 10 years ago girls couldnt even have long hair.. all girls had to have their hair cut just above the collar.. and men had to have it shaved up the neck.. so they have much more freedom now.. I think they made special requirements for people in the entertainment business..
like teen actresses or singers.. to keep their hair long.. then finally they let all girls do it to a certain level..

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

[quote="Derrek"]

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Students humiliated by compulsory haircut
A teacher walks around the classroom with clippers in his hand as he peers intently at students' hair. Then he gives a compulsory haircut to a student whose hair is too long.

Korean adults have memories of this in schools decades ago, but juvenile advocacy groups say it is still happening now, an act that youngsters criticize for being "humiliating."

When students decried hairstyle restriction in 2000, the government advised schools not to discipline students in a shameful or humiliating way. However, "Idoo," a group leading the movement against restrictions on hairstyles, says haircuts are still done in a humiliating way at some schools.
By Jin Hyun-joo, The Korea Herald (May 10, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/05/11/200505110002.asp

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Interesting you updated this thread tonight. One of my middle school brats came in with a new, dorky haircut and I remembered what Derrick had posted. I asked her 'school haircut?' and she scowled and said yes. '15cm?' ... 'yeah, ok'. I don't think she liked the fact I found it so amusing. She's also the perfect example of an overworked Korean teenager who has absolutely zero genuine respect for authority whatsoever.

pollyplummer · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: McMinnvillve, Oregon

Mandatory haircuts are dumb, but I think they should make students cut their nails. At my high school some of the boys have nasty long fingernails, and I think it's sick. Exclamation

They use them to pick at each other's faces. Sometimes they dig around in each other's hair to find white hairs. Ai yi yi.... So what is a conversation teacher to do but say, "Are you finding something interesting in there? No? Keep your hands to yourself and pay attention." I'm sure some of you probably think I'm a big meanie. I'd make them cut their fingernails if I had the authority to do so. I'd also make mandatory showers after gym class and during the summer months. If I had my way, there would be no "freedom to stink" or to have nasty long nails. Exclamation

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Parents teach the practice of proper hygiene, right?

desultude · Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

These kids are in school all their waking hours. I sure don't agree with that, but it is the case. When are they to get haircuts? I agree that it is first the parent's responsibility, but the parents have them a lot less time than the school does.

One reason I don't bitch about Korean society when I see stuff that is worth complaining about is that if I see it, so do other Koreans. These issues are being addressed. When I ask people about the treatment of school students, I find that most agree that there are problems, and are trying to figure out ways to resolve them.

Teen suicide: There is a lot of attention being paid to this problem- research is being done and programs are being established.

Testing: (directly related to teen suicide) there is a move to change the proportion of the evaluation for university entrance to a heavier wieghting of high school grades. Ironically, this has already led to more suicides, but it is intended to address the problem by bringing the system more in line with western practices.

School hours: doing away with zero hour (although some private schools still have it) and doing away with Saturday classes. The evening classes and self study were a well intended effort to democratize the access to universities by provide hogwan like conditions for even the poorest students.

Child beating: This issue is also being discussed and things are changing. My education students are about 80-20 in opposition to corporal punishment. And they are studying a lot of child psychology and child development courses.

I assume that those who complain all of the time about Korea and Koreans and their stupid anachronistic practices don't read or understand the Korean press, and don't speak with Koreans regularly (I mean speak with respectfully and seriously). If they did, they would find that all of the things that bother us bother a lot of them, to. It's just that the solutions are not readily apparent, and need time to develop.

And, no, I don't believe that they should just emulate the west, as if we have it all figured out so well. They are fortunate in that they can look to the west and learn from our mistakes.