Introduction
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, is an instrumental work of fiction that delves into the complex themes of the individual concerning society, personal freedom, social expectations, and contemporary fears. As a feminist novel, it explores the conflicts that arise when women confront societal norms and expectations and are forced to make challenging decisions. The book captures the challenges and limitations Kim Jiyoung faces as she navigates the expectations placed upon her by society.
The story represents women’s challenges in a society that conflicts between their desires and societal expectations. Through Kim Jiyoung’s story, the author addresses the broader societal issues of gender inequality and the suppression of individual autonomy. Kim Jiyoung feels discriminated against due to South Korean social norms that demand women stay at home, refrain from holding paid employment, and give preference to boys over girls.
Individuals in Relation to Society
Cho Nam-joo’s book, Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, centers on the individual’s presentation to society. The book focuses on discrimination placed on women in their marriages and workplaces and examines the impact of cultural norms and expectations, such as a preference for boys. Due to intense pressure from Kim Jiyoung’s in-laws, the mother continued having children until she finally gave birth to a son. Cho Nam-joo states, “How dare you try to take something that belongs to my precious grandson!” which illustrates the discrimination Jiyoung underwent in her childhood (10). It relates to individual conflict with societal expectations of preference for boys, as young girls are confronted when they eat food meant for boys.
The solid cultural bias for the preference of boys is a central issue that psychologically affected Jiyoung’s childhood. Cho Nam-joo says, “The grandmother who lived with them detested the idea of Jiyoung eating her brother’s formula.” The statement depicts the grandmother’s bias towards boys (10). It relates to how girls were viewed as less critical; thus, their childhood growth was uncomfortable. Jiyoung’s mother was forced to treat her son better than her daughters to match the societal practice of boys being better than girls.
Women are socialized to believe that their primary responsibilities are as wives and mothers and that they should put their families’ needs ahead of their own. Social expectations in shaping women’s decisions about employment and parenthood in South Korea present a conflict between them and their society. On page 434, MA states, “Development of cram schools in the 1990s may have reduced women’s childbearing intentions. ” The quote shows the constraints women face in South Korea.
It relates to how women find it harder to choose between career and parenting due to existing challenges. There is discrimination against women, as there is a social expectation that they should put family and caregiving responsibilities ahead of professional progress. Women may feel they have to choose between their careers and duties as spouses and mothers, so they may decide to stop working or restrict their career advancement.
Women struggle to meet the cultural demands of not being employed; thus, finding their place in society becomes challenging. Cho Nam-joo, on page 51, says, “Jiyoung went to countless interviews after that, where interviewers made references to her physical appearance or lewd remarks about her outfit.” The statement relates to the individual and societal conflict that women had to undergo various challenges to secure employment compared to males.
The interviewers looked lecherously at some body parts and touched her with sexual intentions. Her mother and elder sister encouraged her not to give up due to the challenges she faced. When she got employed, she struggled to balance her career and the demands of caring for her family after giving birth, which presented individual and societal conflicts. The company had more male employees than female ones, indicating the discrimination women faced. The societal pressure that women face easily makes them quit their careers and thus become homemakers.
Contemporary Fears
Contemporary worries and their impact on people’s lives are explored in Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982. Throughout the narrative, Kim Jiyoung struggles with anxieties that originate from the judgments and expectations of others. The judgments and views of society as a whole heavily impact people’s actions. Socially prescribed norms and expectations influenced Kim Jiyoung’s personality, and she later developed a psychological disorder due to these societal pressures. Cho Nam-joo, on page 86, states, “… she had a typical case of postnatal depression that progressed to childcare depression,” and the statement shows the mental health problems Jiyoung faced. It relates that the pressure to blend in and fulfill others’ expectations causes her to put her loved one’s needs ahead of individual ambitions. Jiyoung had to sacrifice his professional duties so that she could take care of her family; this ultimately affected her mental health.
Modern concerns have been enriched by incorporating studies on the fall of motherhood entrants and the influence of social and economic variables on reproduction choices in South Korea. Social and economic variables play a role in shaping parental decision-making. Women in societies with rigidly established gender norms and family structures may be afraid to deviate from the expected role of mother for fear of social consequences. The growing expenses of having children and the work market insecurity are two economic issues that might magnify these concerns and discourage women from establishing families. On page 210, Jung (2021) writes, “Kim Ji-young, Born 1982, brought the gender discrimination issue to the public’s attention,” which helps emphasize the gender discrimination portrayed in the book. It relates that South Korean society faces challenges of gender discrimination that adversely affect women’s work lives.
Social Expectations
Kim Jiyoung, the protagonist, struggles to balance society’s expectations as a wife, mother, and working woman, showing the burden she is forced to carry. On page 211, Jung (2021) states, “The book describes the everyday sexism to which South Korean women are exposed, following the story of the protagonist.” This helps emphasize the discrimination Jiyoung faced. It shows Jiyoung was constrained in her independence by society’s expectations that she perform her gendered duties and act according to societal expectations. She is supposed to put her family’s needs above hers, just as she is a woman.
Cho Nam-joo, on page 76, says, “As a result of social conditioning, she is expected to be a good housewife and mother,” illustrating that Jiyoung had to quit her work and become a housewife. The statement relates that women’s conflicts with society are due to the social norms restricting them from pursuing their interests and preventing them from developing their full potential. The societal pressures on women make it difficult for them to make independent choices about their professional lives.
The novel vividly portrays the societal pressures faced by Kim Jiyoung, which limit her ability to lead a life of her choosing. There is a conflict between the individual and society as specific employment is meant for women, while special ones are meant for men. Cho and Chang, on page 81, write, “Fewer women get manufacturing and office jobs…Frequently, the pay also decreases, “illustrating the societal discrimination against women. The statement relates to women’s conflict and the societal expectation that women deserve less pay than men. Kim Jiyoung found employment just before graduation and was quickly pleased with the situation.
She gets recognized for her organization at work by Kim Eunsil, giving her strength in her professional practice. When Kim Jiyoung started her practice, the men in whom she had similar company positions had now found more lucrative positions, while most women had left the practice. Cho and Chang (p. 63) note that women in Korea earn just 63 percent of men’s wages, highlighting the gender-based discrimination they encounter. The quote relates the constraints on protagonist Kim Jiyoung and other women by her society, as they are expected to earn less than men.
Personal Freedom
Kim Ji Young, born in 1982, delves deeply into individual liberty as the protagonist must deal with the many limitations placed on her freedom by her marriage. Cho and Chang (p. 67) report that Jiyoung mentioned her inability to get pregnant, prompting others to comment that she was “too old” and “too skinny,” illustrating the discriminatory remarks directed at her. The quote relates to Jiyoung’s internal conflict and societal expectations that, in a marriage without children, the woman is the problem. Before Kim Jiyoung gave birth, the relatives had started to suspect that she had a health problem. Cho and Chang (p. 67) mention the suggestion to “get your daughter-in-law a box of herbal medicine for fertility,” highlighting the pressures and challenges Jiyoung faces in her marriage.
Daehyun, her husband, did not say a word to support her wife as the infertility accusations were levied on Kim Jiyoung. He instead claimed that her wife was overreacting and could not understand the logic. Cho and Chang (p. 67) state that Jiyoung felt deeply hurt because Daehyun remained silent while his family treated her as if she had a serious physical problem, indicating that her husband was unsupportive. The quote relates to Jiyoung’s conflict and contemporary concerns that husbands should support their wives. Despite several difficulties during pregnancy, she gave birth to a daughter and decided to stay home and be a housewife. Cho and Chang, on page 67, write, “In 2014…one in five married women in Korea quit their job because of marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare,” indicating women’s societal challenges. This quote relates to individual conflicts women face amid societal expectations that they must make career sacrifices to protect their marriages.
Kim Jiyoung is an instrument through which the author shows the conflict between individual needs and the expectations of society. Jung writes, “Modern society no longer considers the sole male breadwinner a commonly accepted norm for the household economy and social policies,” emphasizing the need to accept women’s new role (204). The quote relates to the need to adapt to the modern demands of allowing women to participate in employment and provide for their families. There are dynamics of women’s engagement with the work market to help understand the shifting environment and the promise of more personal freedom for ambitious women.
The novel recounts the protagonist’s life from birth to today, illuminating the widespread prejudice that affects women in South Korea. Jung says, “The book is meaningful in that it highlights socially inscribed gender discrimination to the public, builds a strong solidarity among young Korean women,” showing the need for discrimination women face (212). The quote is essential as it relates to institutionalized sexism and fosters a sense of community among young Korean women already making strides in the workplace and at home. It catalyzes the current feminist movements, including Me Too. The story makes the reader consider the value of their free will and the need to question established norms to live life to the fullest.
Conclusion
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, is an inspiring examination of contemporary issues and societal norms through a view of the struggle between the individual and society. This article has examined how Kim Jiyoung ‘s restrictive social environment shapes her character and how she is expected to behave. Researchers in South Korea have shown that cultural norms significantly affect women’s decisions about employment and childbearing.
The story does an excellent job of depicting Kim Jiyoung’s anxieties and the impact of peer pressure on personal choices. It highlights the limits to which one is subject. The novel’s importance in examining the interaction between the person and society and its relevance to contemporary issues becomes apparent when these observations are considered. The story engages, making its audience feel the intricacies of social norms and the need for individual autonomy.
Works Cited
Cho, Nam-Joo, and Jamie Chang. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982. Anansi International, 2020.
Jung, Hoyong. “Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982 Revisited: Statistical Evidence from Time Use Surveys.” Journal of Asian Sociology, vol. 50, no. 1, 2021, pp. 203–46. Web.
MA, Li. “Employment and Motherhood Entry in South Korea, 1978-2006.” Institut National d’Etudes Démographiques, vol. 68, no. 3, 2013, pp. 419–46. Web.