A Childhood without Sun

I was put to an awkward test today by one of my clever students. I usually try to keep my classes light-heated. I think the students think more naturally in English when they're just having fun as opposed to constantly being critiqued. I've found I can correct their grammar and they'll repeat after me quickly and positively without losing their confidence or desire to speak. I want then all to want to communicate. But, teaching methodology aside, I really had to work hard to lighten the mood after a 12 year old girl, Carol, asked me, "teacher, have you ever thought about committing suicide?" (that's exactly the way she put it) Carol is one of three students in my conversation class for fluent kids. I think I giggled and began saying something about how I've thought about everything and it's OK to think. She explained, "my life is so boring. All I ever do is study. Sometimes I don't want to live." Initially, I saw this as her call for attention in class, which I know it partly was, but, knowing what I know about Korean society, her comments stunted my maneuvering and reminded me of a newspaper article.

I once read here that teen suicide is an big issue in Korea. The main reasoning was, as she said, there's too much pressure, studying and lack of free time or thought for Korean children. I see it everyday and I feel so bad for these kids. Starting at around age 8, they wake up before the sun, go the elementary school, then English academy, piano lesson, Chinese academy, general tutoring and then, as they ride the elevator to their apartment it's 9:15, they're falling asleep on their feet, like the elderly, and they still have an English tutor coming to their home for an hour lesson. These kids are beat, I see it.

It's horribly depressing everytime I ask a student, "what do you like doing," and they reply, "studying." There's no concept of free-time. The ones that lived in America are dying to go back to that life of leisure. That's what our childhood is through their eyes. The rest of the kids here think their endless herding from one school to another is normal. Really, I think this brutal competition is a uniquely Asian problem. And the mothers who force their kids to keep up are aware of the dangers of this life. Many have asked me to help them find away to get their children studying abroad. I think many mothers would actually rather live across the world from their children than put them through the educational rat-race here. It's sad and that's how I feel toward Carol.

I told her that we Americans have all our fun in youth then are rudely awoken to a life of harsh responsibilities and it's the opposite for Koreans. I lied and said things would get easier for her as she gets older. She said she plans to go to college in America. I think that's a great idea. I had a good experience at college, but that's not why I love the idea. I think it gives her something to look forward to as she rushes from one book to another in a multiplying pile.