Although only three percent of the population has Confucianism as a belief system today, it remains the basis for sexual ethics and criminal law. Furthermore, sex was considered a duty to the family, rather than an act of pleasure. As yang was considered more dominant than yin, men were considered to be comparably omnipotent, justifying male dominance and discrimination against female.
In Confucianism, men were considered to be positive (yang) and women negative (yin). Neo-Confucianism became prominent in the 15th century. During the Goryeo Dynasty, Confucianism served as the practical and philosophical structure of the state, and was the official ideology during the Joseon Dynasty. Ĭonfucianism became important in the 7th century. The traditional concepts of sexuality in Korea have been influenced by: Confucianism, Buddhism, Neo-Confucianism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. This custom continued unto the 20th century. The society commonly believed that a higher age for marriage was associated with inappropriate sexual activity. When a child assumed responsibility for the child's family, the child could marry at the age of 12. In the Joseon dynasty, the legal age for marriage was 15 for boys and 14 for girls. Children about 10 years old could be presented to another family this was done for both boys and girls. Early marriages were often arranged and can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea period (57 AD-668). ĭuring this time, early marriages were common. Marriage with those with both the same surname and family origin was forbidden, and is still forbidden today. During this period, women's remarriage was prohibited from 1447 to 1897. However, elites were legally allowed to maintain concubines however, children birthed with concubines were declared illegitimate since the early 15th century, and were banned from gwageo since 1471. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), monogamy was established as the official policy. However, the aristocracy in this period practiced polygamy, and a man was legally allowed to have up to four wives. Marriage system ĭuring the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), monogamy was supported while divorce and remarriage were common. Women were excluded from schools until 1886, when Ewha Hakdang was established. Female shamans outnumbered male shamans, and women were usually only examined by women folk healers. Women from lower class had jobs such as mudang, or shamans folk healer kisaeng. In the family, women were expected to take care of the family finances. However, women were entitled to inherit property. For instance, chastity of widows was enforced by forbidding the sons and grandsons of remarried women from taking the Gwageo. The aforementioned societal norms began to be enforced during the Joseon Dynasty. Although men were allowed to have multiple wives, women were expected to have chastity and were compelled to remain unmarried if their husbands died. Only the women of the ruling class could enjoy the same privileges of the men in the same class. The position of a woman depended on the position of a male member of her family. Historically, Korean society was patriarchal, especially due to Confucianism. Women could not participate in the main social system and were discriminated against on the basis of: their roles in marriage, fertility, lack of rights in divorce proceedings, and set roles in society. Women have been marginalized throughout Korean history. Now, this young man faces the prospect of having a criminal record and his mother is having to scrape together every single dime she can find, $4,000 already, just to defend him from these outrageous charges.A modern enactment of the traditional pyebaek ceremony, which is usually held after the wedding ceremony Traditional roles of women The law lacks the nuance it deserves and ultimately criminalizes common youth misbehavior between peers. If a 17 year old, even if they are in high school together, does the very same thing, with a 16 year old, they can be charged with with child pornography. In Louisiana, the law states that anyone under the age of 17 found to be sexting any person of any age can be charged with a misdemeanor. It doesn't matter what your race, what your religion, what your ethnicity, don't do child pornography! Plain and simple."Įxcept a 16-year-old and 17-year-old in the same school consensually sending each other sexual videos of themselves isn't child pornography. Bill Davis, who is also white, seemed offended and told KSLA-TV, "I have nothing to say about that. When pressed on whether or not race played a role, Lt.