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Heo Young-sook's Writings and Thoughts -a trial opinion for a study on Heo Young-sook
Chunwon Research journal
Abbr :
Chunwon Research journal
2019, (16), pp.183-206
Publisher : Chunwon Research Society
Research Area : Korean Literature
2019, (16), pp.183-206
Publisher : Chunwon Research Society
Research Area : Korean Literature
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This paper examines the ideological features shown in Heo Young-sook's writings and tries to grasp them in the context of the modern (Chosun) women's discourse. Heo Young-sook is known as the wife of Lee Kwang-soo, and her own activities have not been discussed. However, she wanted to take care of the health of women in her pioneering position as a "female doctor" and use her articles to change society's perception of women and urge women to awaken themselves. Heo Young-sook, as a "female doctor," released a number of articles aimed at improving the hygiene of Chosun families and women's health. She believed the importance of "protection of motherhood" for "national development," and wanted to spread the health general knowledge on women's pregnancy, childbirth and infant care through newspaper articles. She also offered notable opinions about the role of women. She stressed the role of "wise mother" saying that women, as a "civilian of national souls", take a heavy responsibility of child rearing and education for the future of the nation. Her opinion about female gender role is similar to women's roles in the existing society in that they are in charge of household affairs and raise their children. However she extended women's social position and role outside the home by presenting "mother" as the "main protagonist of modern ethnic state formation." Heo Young-sook sought to make the "construction of a modern nation state" ideal and modernize Chosun family by providing information to readers based on her knowledge and experience as a female doctor. She also defined the social position and role of women as the subjects of a modern nation state. She actively sought to communicate her ideas in writing to the readers. In this regard, it is necessary to study Heo Young-sook's writings and ideas in various ways, like comparing her gender role recognition with other contemporary gender awareness, analyzing the effect relationship with her husband Lee Kwang-soo, considering recognition and response in the context during Japanese occupation period.
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