Research Article · Vol. 18, No. 1 (2019) · pp. 70-93
Peer reviewed — at least two external reviewers, single-anonymised. Editorial process
The Social Effects of Higher Education Policy in South Korea: The Rise of the "Pig Mum" phenomenon
- Eugene Lee — Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University
- David Santandreu Calonge — Faculty of Communication, Arts and Sciences, Canadian University Dubai
- Patrik Hultberg — Department of Economics and Business, Kalamazoo College
Published Jun 30, 2019 · https://doi.org/10.17477/jcea.2019.18.1.070
Abstract
The contemporary educational system in South Korea is built on high-stakes standardised tests, a manifestation of the national project of social reconstruction and reform. One recent outcome is the emergence of an unfamiliar yet ubiquitous phenomenon: the "pig mum"; a Korean parent who is fully involved in organising, scheduling and managing the educational process from primary to secondary school for a group of children in a neighbourhood. Based on a quasimixed method utilizing a survey of a group of students and parents, this pilot study explores the "pig mum" phenomenon and its linkage to education policy. The authors conclude that the current educational policy fails to achieve the ideals it professes to value. This creates deep and negative societal norms that endanger a growing generation of students by creating a parallel private education market environment where "pig mums" thrive.
Keywords:Education PolicyHigher EducationSouth KoreaPig Mum