Korean male farmers' patriarchal perception: A case study of apo diary(1969-2000)

This paper aims to examine the dynamics of internalized patriarchy in the socioeconomic context of Korea in the 1970s and the 1980s based on Apo Diary, written by Soon-deok Gwon from 1969 to 2000. This paper analyzes Gwon's internalized patriarchy in three sections. The first section describes the story of the birth of Gwon's son, àch reflects the prefisrence for sons rooted in the Confticianism of the Joseon Dynasty as well as capitalist expectations for the upward class mobility of the family through investment in the only sod The sesnd section examines Gwon's internalized patriarchy in relation to his wife's labor. At the time, smallholders had to rely on family farming for survival. Women were forced to carry out multiple roles in production and reproduction to maintain the system. However, they could rarely achieve an economic reMd equivalent to their contribution, keeping their life dependent on the patriarchal system. Finally, the third section discusses the influens of patriarchal thinking on the gender roles imposed upon Gwon's son and daughters. Gwon idealized his son's role as a breadwinner and his daughters as foil-time housewives. His perception ssmingjy follows the wistem patriarchy of modem capi^ismj however, his vievvs are based on the direct fonilism of patriarchal blood linearity, which differs from the nudear family in western society. In this paper, Apo Diary exemplifies how internalized patriarchy changes depending on the times. Gwon's internalized patriarchy in relation to the gander roles works differently for his wife and daughters, keeping the patriarchal system robust.