Only 86.2 percent of male respondents agreed to the proposition that it is uncomfortable for male employees to work under a female superior. (Image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean teenagers have different perspectives on gender equality based on their gender, according to a recent survey.
The National Youth Policy Institute conducted a survey of 9,008 teenagers, during which only 86.2 percent of male respondents agreed to the proposition that it is uncomfortable for male employees to work under a female superior.
The percentage of female respondents who agreed to the proposition was 94.8 percent.
At 76.2 percent, a majority of female respondents agreed to the proposition that it is important for women to achieve economic independence, while only 59.7 percent of male respondents said likewise.
Another 87.3 percent of female respondents, in contrast to a mere 77.5 percent among male respondents, agreed to the proposition that a husband should make all of the important decisions for a family, even if the wife is the principal breadwinner.
“Teenagers familiarize themselves with socio-cultural values based on what they’ve seen in their surroundings,” said Dr. Kim Ae-ra from the Korea Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education.
“It is crucial for all educators to teach students from the perspective of gender equality, and understand that gender plays an important role in the course of educating youth.”
Taiwan, for instance, has separate legislation on gender equality education that requires all schools to avoid gender discrimination when it comes to developing curricula for teenagers.
Sweden, too, amended its education law in 2010 to require all educational institutions to include gender perspectives in their curriculum.
“Educational authorities should develop programs, manuals, and assessment systems that can provide a gender equality standpoint in the philosophy, education, culture, and social environment of South Korea,” said Jang Mun-hee, head of the Paju Youth Counseling Center.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
