Life History Term Paper Research Proposal
So far in the course we have studied the topic of 'Men and Masculinity" but we have more so focused on the concepts and ideas of men of western origin and those whose cultures are primarily those of western influence. While there are certain definitions of what it means to be a man in different parts of the world, the definitions of what it means to be a man differs from country to country and from different races and ethnicities. There are certain powers and privileges that men have in one country that men in other countries do not, as well as limitations some men face that others do not. This life history research project will be focused on the history and current position of masculinity in South Korea and how it has specifically impacted my grandfather when he was growing up in South Korea and how the pressures of masculinity changed when he immigrated to the United States. This research paper will more specifically be delving into various concepts and ideas such as the history of masculinity in South Korea and the impact of Japanese colonialism, the differences in the meaning of masculinity in South Korea and the United States, and the impact of immigration and clashing of cultures on the meaning and pressures of masculinity for immigrant men and their viewpoint and treatment of women.
Korean masculinity has historically been defined as being disciplined, self-controlled, and sublimating sexual impulses and channeling them toward the nation. Neo-Confucianism has influenced much of what it means to be masculine in Korea and is still the standing strong foundation of the meaning of masculinity in Korean society. Neo-Confucianism defines the ideal man as being a virtuous and patriotic gentleman, self-sacrificing himself for his nation and his family. The idea of masculinity has been focused on the need for keeping up with nationalist ideals such as loyalty to one's country, fighting those who question your patriotic spirit, and sacrificing yourself for the sake of duty. There is a certain idea that a man must do whatever it takes to better his role in society but for the sake of his nation and for his family. There is also a strong emphasis of hierarchy in the meaning of power in Korean men's masculinity. Much of Korea's history is built upon Confucian values of strong hierarchy and unflinching respect for such. Even mere age bestows an amount of social power that is unfathomable to Americans. The social and professional hierarchies are so well established in society that not many people view them as demeaning or disparaging. Koreans assume that having power in the form of authority eliminates obstacles and challenges from arising. Therefore, the more powerful one is, the fewer challenges one can expect to encounter. So, while Americans measure masculinity by one's ability to resolve conflicts in one's favor, ostensibly by having the greater force of unencumbered will, Koreans measure masculinity by how readily one gets what one wants. There is much abuse and harassment of those younger in age, those of less power and authority, and those of lower class. Typically, in order to feel as though one has authority and power, Korean men label or view themselves as the head of the household with the wife catering to him and listening to his commands. And in so which there is a deep-rooted history of misogyny in Korea with many Korean men failing to acknowledge that South Korea is an entrenched patriarchy. South Korea has a high rate of domestic violence with many men thinking that they are above women and even those of the younger generation having a strong distaste for the feminist movements happening currently in South Korea. The idea of exerting violence and strength is equivalent to showing off one's masculinity and the power that comes with it. Because my grandfather spent the majority of his life in Korea before moving to the United States much of the meanings of masculinity to him have been influenced by Korea's definitions and ideals of masculinity rather than those of America's. However, moving to the United States has most likely changed or even slightly altered his perceptions of what it means to means to be a man and this research project will further delve into identifying the changes and what may have caused those changes.
I at first intended to interview my own father for this research proposal and studying what it meant for him to be a man when he lived in South Korea and when he moved to the United States and how that impacted his family relationships and the meaning of being a dad with his children being of western influence. However, I now intend to interview my grandfather and looking more into how the western culture influenced him when he moved at an older age to the United States and if the western ideals of what it means to be a man have impacted him in any way and to what degree of effect. My grandfather was born in the 1930's when Korea was under Japanese rule and because he was in the lower class of society he lived in poverty and constantly worked to support his family. There are stories that my grandfather would tell me about how he had almost died due to the Japanese rule and the tortures that they imposed on Korean civilians. Korean men were subjugated as being lower than Japanese men and once Japan's rule over Korea ended after World War II, the idea of supremacy and hierarchy continued in Korean culture and greatly influenced what it meant to be masculine. My grandfather later moved to the United States by himself and later brought my grandmother and together both helped my parents to raise me. Much of the work that he did in Korea was architectural but once he came to the United States he took on various jobs and mainly helped my father and uncle with their businesses. Because I was raised by my grandparents when I was younger and would visit them every summer when I was in middle school, I would observe how my grandfather positioned himself in the family household and how my family placed him on top of our family hierarchy. My grandfather commanded my grandmother and would discipline her and more often dictate what she could and could not do. He would yell at her and use force without embarrassment or regard for those watching or in his surrounding as he would not think that what he was doing was wrong in any sense. However, as the years have passed and after caring for me, my grandfather has become gentle (either due to his growing age or the influence of Western culture) and more lenient with what women are allowed to do but he still imposes standards for the women in our family. I have not talked much with my grandfather on how the western culture has influenced his thinking on what being masculine is, but this research project will give me the opportunity to find out if there was an influence or none at all.
The questions that I will most likely ask my grandfather are:
1. In your opinion, what do you think being masculine means?
2. Do you believe that Japanese colonialism had a significant influence on what it meant to be a man for Korean men and do you believe that the end of colonial rule had any effect on the meaning of masculinity for Korean men?
3. Can you tell me about what it was like moving to the United States and any struggles or pressures you felt being a man immigrating to a new country and if you felt any threats to your masculinity or even benefits?
4. Do you see differences in the ideas of masculinity between South Korea and the United States and if there are differences, do you think you were in any way influenced by the western ideas of what it means to be masculine?
5. Do you believe that women have more power in Korea or the United States and how do you feel about the feminist movements that are going on in Korea right now?
6. Do you believe that women should keep to certain standards and if so what are those standards?
7. How do you view the concept of hierarchy in Korea in the aspects of family, the work place, schools, military, etc. and do you think the hierarchy is justified and needed or unnecessary?
8. Do you believe that there is a need for standards on what it means to masculine?