[KS] Bullying in ROK Public Schools

[Eugene Y. Park]

Dear all,

Though I understood Mike Robinson's initial posting as more of a request
for published materials on bullying in ROK public schools so that the
lawyers contacting him could make a stronger case, I think the ensuing
discussion has broadened in scope thanks to many insightful comments.

Unless I missed any detail from previous postings, I wonder how a visibly
Korean-looking yet entirely English-speaking child from Korean
American/jaemi gyopo background (such as the one Mike was describing)
would fare. Besides the kind of student body the particular public school
has, I would think that how a child's perceived foreignness and the kind
of foreignness would be variables too.

At least we all seem to talk informally about how, say, darker
complexioned Southeast Asians, English-speaking Koreans born overseas, and
Westerners may get different treatments in a particular circumstance with
all other variables supposedly fixed. One reason why I'm posing this
question is that in a few years, my Korean-born wife and I (a 1.5 Korean
American) will have to decide on spending a year in either South Korea or
Japan with an elementary school-age daughter with whom we only use
English.

Yours,
Gene Park

On Wed, 5 27, 2009 22:52, Hilary V. Finchum-Sung wrote:
> Not to drag out the point either, but, in my experience thus far, bullying
> has not been an issue for my children who are in regular public schools
> (e.g. not international/private schools).  The other children have been
> extremely helpful, as has been the school administration.  The biggest
> challenge has been the language, but day by day that is improving as well.
>  My daughter is 10 (Korean age/8 U.S. age) and has not experienced any
> bullying in the 3 months she's been in school (so far so good).  In fact,
> she has made quite a few friends. Many of her classmates help her write
> down the daily schedule and information the teacher posts for parents and
> make sure she brings the right books home.  My sons, who are 6 (Korean
> age), have had no problems in their preschool beyond just the usual
> I-want-to-be-with-dad/mom issue.
>
> I think the threat of bullying is a rather weak argument for the lawyers
> to make.  Instead, I think the shock of changing school systems is a
> stronger argument.  Beginning in 3rd grade, the schooling here becomes
> rather intense, and it only intensifies in work load and stress level up
> through high school.  The obsession with English education and the
> limitations placed on children who cannot excel in every single subject
> area make Korean schools rather difficult for a child used to the
> individualized U.S. education.  The child would likely find herself
> disadvantaged initially, and perhaps in the longrun, because she is at the
> age (10 U.S. age?) in which grades and test scores begin to matter.
>
> Hilary Finchum-Sung
> --- Original Message ---
> From : "Julie Smith"
> To : koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws
> Date : 2009/05/28 목요일 오후 1:23:30
> Subject : Re: [KS] Bullying in ROK Public Schools
>
>
>
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>             HI
>
> Just to say something on this subject,I teach at a public elementary
> school in Seoul and there are 2 sisters from Mexico and a girl from
> Romania here (they have a parent who is working as a visiting professor at
> a nearby University).They have never been bullied and from what i have
> observed when they are in my class,the only real problem for them is the
> language,but other studenst try hard to help.
>
>
> Julie Smith
>
> Doable not impossible
>
>
>
> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 19:23:03 +0100
> From: john.feleppa at gmail.com
> To: koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws
> Subject: Re: [KS] Bullying in ROK Public Schools
>
> In my experience, it is certain that the girl will attract attention as a
> foreigner in her new school, but it is by no means certain that she will
> be bullied.  It might turn out fine!  There are more and more foreigners
> in Korea ---
>
> Ask her teachers to look after her holistic integration, and if possible,
> advise them to move to Seoul, the most diverse city there.  Oh, and if she
> can go to a foreigners school (rather than an expensive international
> school) it will be better.
>
> Definitely don't expect it to happen - Koreans can be very nice hosts. . .
> .
>
>
>             2009/5/18 michael robinson robime at indiana.edu
>
>
>             Dear List:
>
> I have a query from immigration lawyers on a case where a 10 year old
> daughter is being forced by the deportation of her father back to ROK.
> She is US born and has never lived in Korea nor does she speak any Korean.
>  The case to avoid her forced deportation would be to show the
> difficulties she would face in a transition to Korean schooling.  The
> lawyers are focused on the issue of bullying in Korean schools.  I know
> this occurs, but before I start signing on to this I wonder what is out
> there in the way of information on such practices in Korean schools.  I
> know there is aliterature on the more studied case of Japan.  Any help
> from my better informed colleagues out there?
>
> Best Wishes,
>
> Mike Robinson
> Indiana University
>
>
>
>
>
> Windows Live helps you keep up with all your friends, in one place.
>
>
>
>
>


-- 
Eugene (Gene) Y. Park
Associate Professor
Department of History
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697 USA
http://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=4926