Traditional and modern Family
Traditional Family

The family is the base of all societies, that is why I chose this subject because it help us to understand the Korean modern society and even sometimes the history. Confucianism in “its traditional format was rigidly authoritarian and bolstered by a social matrix that was essentially totalitarian”. (Walter H.Slote) The hierarchy is very rigid, and set by the age, the gender, the social status.
Confucianism society is based on a patriarchal lineage and authority. The first son is loved and given of the best things, because he will continue the lineage. In this context children and woman had little voice and were restrict by strong rules of obedience and respect. The family is the source of education, and knowledge for children, they learn through the everyday rituals in a proper way. “Confucianism is a family oriented religion, philosophy, and social ideology governing behavior from birth to death.”( Kwang Kyu lee) If the rites weren’t accomplished in the proper way, the falters were punished by the law. This system creates solidarity within the family and lineage. Lineage is the individual descendent from a common progenitor. The most important lineage is the one which is perpetrate by the first born son.
Education and well manners are one of the most important points, even in the farmer families, children were taught to use the highest honorific terminology to speak with their father. “To never stand higher than his father, to enter a room after his father, and never smoke or drink in front of him.” This rules were set by the filial piety, this virtue is “held above all else: a respect for the parents and ancestors”. Filial piety of the son were shown trough given everything good to their parents and taking care about their body in good health and clean because that was a gift from the parents. Filial piety is the second of the Five Relationships, defined by Mencius. Traditionally that defines affection