Koreans Kinship Structure, Marriage

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Koreans- Kinship Structure, Marriage Family,
Political Institution

• Michael Howard

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Kin Groups Decent Patrilineal -
Prehistoric, but gained strength through
Chinese influence in the first half of the
first century BC. - Gave rise to elaborate
kin groups, lineages, and clans. -
Over 1,000 clans in Korea.
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Marriage Family Marriage -Traditional
marriages were thoroughly arranged as a form
of class endogamy. -An increasing number
of Koreans are now beginning to choose their
own mates. -Many compromise forms between
arranged marriage and free choice. -The number
of divorces among the educated, young,urban
Koreans increasing.
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Inheritance -Since the 1800s
primogeniture has been the rule, although
ultimogeniture occurred in some remote
villages. -5 more Is given to the eldest
son than other sons and unmarried daughters.
A married daughter's share is 1/4 of what
is given to her brothers.
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Socialization - Extended family to nuclear
family. - Koreans have an obsession for
education. - Formal education is the
single most important factor for individual
success and upward mobility. - Over 93
of the population is literate.
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Political Organization -Following the division
of Korea, S. Korea became a democratic
republic, whereas N. Korea remains a
communist dictatorship. -S. Korea has 9
provinces, which are divided into
counties, cities, townships, towns and
villages, and 6 provincial-level cities.