Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laogaiguk]

[periwinkle]

Really? Why? To learn the value of work? I can agree with that. I think it teaches responsibilty. However, I think some kids that age can't handle the responsibility. Case in point: my aunt ended-up doing my cousin's paper route. She couldn't get him out of bed that early. Funny thing is is that now he's a mail carrier. Also, I think it can be hard on the kid- they have to go out in all kinds of inclement weather. If I had to get up that early, I don't know how I would've stayed awake in class!!

[seoulsucker]

I think the one thing that is missing from childhood here are extracurricular activities sponsored and organized by the school. Sports teams, marching bands, show choirs, science clubs, etc.

I did public school for a year, and I saw none of that at all, and from what I gathered, there wasn't a lot of it at the majority of the other schools as well.

When I was in high school, I got the chance to socialize and compete with my peers in a non-educational environment, and that provided me with skills that have served me far better than a lot of what I learned in the classroom. Teamwork, logical problem solving, critical thought, artisitic and individual expression, etc.

These are things that I feel stunt personal growth and lead to the awkward, socially inept Koreans that you meet on a day-to-day basis. The best and coolest Korean friends I've made have either dropped out of school, or have already been through the military, which seems to loosen them up a bit.

[Ody]