- Overview
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Why did family become so important in Korea? This book was read by President Moon Jae-in who in turn sent a letter of encouragement to the author.
- Book Intro
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According to the Comprehensive Quality-of-Life Index of Koreans published by Statistics Korea, the only indicator that decreased in the past ten years was family/community. Statistical indicators such as low birth rates, private education problems, child abuse, and overseas adoption each seem to play a role. The author chooses “family” as the word that connects all these issues. She wishes to reveal the bare face of Korean society when these aspects inside and outside the family are all connected. In the process, she criticizes Korean familialistic values based on a patriarchal system and the ideology of the “normal family” that only considers certain family types as normal. Until now, most criticisms regarding familialism and the “normal family” ideology have been raised from a feminist perspective. In this book, the author carefully explores how children are also suffering from the problems surrounding these issues.
- About the Author
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Kim Heekyung
After graduating from Seoul National University's School of Anthropology, Kim Heekyung worked for 18 years as a reporter for The Dong-A Ilbo and for 6 years at Save the Children, an international relief and development organization, as the head of the rights advocacy and business divisions. She currently serves as the director of the Korea Human Rights Policy Institute and the Foundation for Migrant Children, and she also lectures and writes about child and human rights advocacy activities. Her works include Reconstructing the Box Office, My Santiago: The Way to Walk Alone and Together, and It's My Life.
- Award
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Lotte Foundation, 2018, Main Prize at the 1st Lotte Publication Culture Award
- Recommendation
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"Kim Heekyung's writing lets us know that the majority of adults are violent in their relationships with children. As precise and tenacious as an anatomist. As broad and deep as a sociologist. As salient and fast as a reporter. All of these aspects are a reflection of Kim’s work and attitude toward life." - Jeong Hye-shin (Mental Health Expert, Neighbor Healing Center), 2017 "This book vividly shows how the rights of children have been trampled in the name of ‘family’ and convincingly argues why family problems should not be left to the family alone. Personally, I consider this book to be my choice for Discovery of the Year." - Kim Hyeon-kyeong (Anthropologist), 2017
- Selection
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The Hankyoreh, 2017, Book of the Year Kukmin Ilbo, 2017, Book of the Year Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, 2018, Sejong Books for Liberal Arts
