South Korea still needs more humanities education: For a more empathetic society

Main Article Content

Ji Min Nam

Abstract

This article suggests that South Korean society could be more empathetic toward people with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and children.  In certain South Korean landscapes, hostility against those marginalized groups is often framed as a normal response. Justification of such normalization comes from the idea that it is natural for marginalized groups to experience disadvantages, since people and society are too busy to take care of them. After describing this phenomenon, I suggest potential solutions to exacerbated hatred toward these vulnerable groups, focusing on humanities education.   Humanities education could alleviate the situation because it can engender increased sensitivity and empathy toward others, including marginalized people.  Unfortunately, South Korea currently faces a grim situation: job markets are becoming harsher than before to humanities major college graduates, and the value of the humanities majors is often looked down upon. Nonetheless, this might be the right time for society to appreciate more of the value of humanities education.

Article Details

How to Cite
Nam, J. M. (2023). South Korea still needs more humanities education: For a more empathetic society. Journal of Integrative and Innovative Humanities, 3(1). Retrieved from https://so07.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DJIIH/article/view/2383
Section
Postcapitalism and the Humanities Section - Research article

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