HKIER

Abstract

This article explores the factors that influence the educational attainment of Korean adolescents, from primary school age to adulthood. The first part of this presentation articulates the theoretical and conceptual frameworks by outlining the cross-cultural model. In this model, cross-cultural differences between Western societies and East Asian societies are delineated. In Western societies, liberal moral-political values emphasize individuals' rights to freely choose their own goals. In contrast, Confucianism in East Asia emphasizes collective good and harmony, coupled with self-cultivational and self-regulation. The second part of this article outlines the factors that influence the value and behavior orientation of adolescents, focussing specifically on the influence of Korean society, family, and school. The third section of this paper reviews four empirical studies on academic achievement of Korean adolescents. The final section discusses the future challenges that Korean society faces and the need to fundamentally change the educational structure in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

摘要

N.A.