Breaking gender discrimination is not an easy work. Johanna Blakely explains us about social media and end of gender. However, Her statement covers only little part of gender problems. Before we argue about communication between genders, we have to know what factors have been constructed social gender role in our society. In other words, we have to start from origin which made fixed ideas of gender.
Let’s see the case of Korea with chronological order.
1. Confucian ideas and oppressive measure to women
Traditionally, Korea was the nation which dominated by Confucianism. In Confucian ideas, there are many phrases that elevate the social hierarchy of men. Relatively, the social level of women became low. This is because Confucian ideas highlighted the loyalty and filial piety which naturally brought and enforced women’s absolute obedience to men.
Through these ideas, Korea maintained the perfect patriarchal system for nearly 400 years. Not only Korea, but also other nations in the world maintained strong patriarchal system for long time. They did not have recognitions about protecting women rights.
2. The time of flowering. (1910~1960)
In fact, actual modernized era of Korea is from 1910 to 1930s, but for convenience I included other parts. In this era, with the inflow of the western civilization to Korea, the gender structure slightly changed with the appearance of “modern girl.” The word “modern girl” represents women who have lots of professional knowledge and struggle to protect their rights. Maybe we can call them as the first feminist.
The appearance of “modern girl” was able because of inflow of western education system. Before the time of flowering, the women education was impossible. However, with the western education system, in Korea many modernized schools were established and women were also able to learn.
The educated women changed the conventional ideas that society had. They deny the conventional gender roles and also wanted to work and have equal rights with men. Although their first struggle to society was deteriorated by vested male, it shows the start of breaking gender role.
3. Age of Feminism and Ministry of gender equality.
In recent years, many people’s idea about gender changed. The fixed ideas about gender roles also changed. There are a lot of reasons which can explain this phenomenon. But let’s focus on social media that Johanna Blakely introduced.
With activated social media system, women were able to argue their ideas through social media easily. And with their thoughts of idea, they can expand it with active demonstrations. Also, in these days, consumerism becomes the biggest issue in the world. Many markets and firms work to satisfy consumers. Since women take large proportion of consumer, the social level women takes also elevated.
Johanna Blakely, however, thought this fluctuation is still deficient for strengthening women rights. Although women actively participate in social network system and markets, it is a virtual image of markets and social media still dominated by male. Johanna Blakely also argued that these programs are not giving women equal rights but they are just attracting women to purchase goods and services.
However, Johanna Blakely’s idea is too pessimistic. She underestimated the power of social media.
Social media allowed women to dominate the public opinion. Now, women not only hold great proportion of consumer, but also they are opinion leaders in social media. Especially, in Korea the Ministry of gender equality also established. (Although we know it as Ministry of women, the official name of it is Ministry of gender equality.)
4. Reverse sexual discrimination.
Like Johanna Blakely, we have thought women rights first. So far, we always thought social weak as women. However, now we have to reconsider the “gender equity.”
We still have sensitive gender problems. The rewarding points for serving army service, hiring quota for women in public officers, and wage discrimination are problems that we have to solve. Because the Ministry of gender equality works as the Ministry of women, in policy making, there are possibilities that men rights can be ignored.
It is dangerous to have biased idea. Now we have to think objective and make true equality between genders.
Debate topics.
THB additional points should be given to men who served for army service in Korea.
THB the women hiring quota in public officers test should be banned.
THB the Ministry of gender equality should be abolished.
THB the Ministry of gender equality should be abolished.
