Korean J Child Stud. 1999; 20(4): 43-59.

Ideological Characteristics and Child Rearing Practices of North Korea

북한의 아동 양육 실태 및 관련 변수

이순형,이기춘,이기영,이은영,김대년,박영숙,최연실

Soon Hyung Yi,Kee Choon Lee,Ki Young Lee,Eun Young Lee,Dae Nyun Kim,Young Sook Park,Youn Shil Choi

Ideological characteristics and child rearing practices of North Korean society were studied with in-depth interviews of twelve adults who had escaped from North Korea since 1990 and with a questionnaire consisting of 17 items completed by 158 subjects who had also escaped from North Korea. There are 3 ideological characteristics of North Korea : Monotheism, collectivism, and patriarchalism. Collectivism resulted in collective behavior styles; monotheism made the hero worship of the Kim Il Sung lineage possible, and patriarchalism contributed to boy-preference and to differentiated sex-role expectations for their children. In practice, parents emphasize honesty and loyalty to the Communist Party, and they use praise as verbal reinforcement. Parents also emphasize obedience and control rather than democratic participation.