session 1 discussion

[Anonymous]

I thought this was an interesting chronology of the tensions in the South China Sea that directly related to our class. For those of you, like me, who may not know too much about this topic, it provides dates and events up to the deployment of the missile. Enjoy! http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-south-china-sea-timeline-20160217-htmlstory.html

[Anonymous]

Wow, I did not know all of that information about his history! I think this would be an excellent talking point. It would be especially relevant to our students who would connect much more easily with Black Panther history then perhaps history of the Philippines or Vietnam. I find myself trying to add Asia in small ways in my classroom as we learn more and more!

[Anonymous]

Here's my repost since I wrote about philosophy instead of the other articles posted.
What stood out to me the most while reading about the mail order marriages was the involvement of the government in regulating these marriages. This is a very taboo topic in American culture, so I was surprised to see that governments such as S. Korea regulate the marriages. Bride schools run by the government worried me at first. However, after reading about corruption in private businesses, I can understand why the government stepped in. These women can easily be trafficked if the system is not regulated. I am more interested in learning more about government involvement and intervention in these arranged marriages.
edited by djamshidnejad on 2/25/2016

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, due a family emergency, I was unable to attend this class. After reading these posts, it looks like I missed an interesting discussion.

After reading the articles, so many ideas caught my interest--fertility in East Asia, mail-order brides, Japan's demographic crisis, labor issues in both Japan and South Korea, and China's environmental crisis. What struck me were the staggering statistics offered in many of the articles. For example, "In 1995, some 245m Chinese were in their 20s. By 2020, on current trends, there will be only 159m, a decline within a single generation of 86m" (Economist, Banyan). In Japan, the "working-age popuation may shrink by 40 percent in the next 45 years" (Renolds). But even when faced with comprehending these and other figures, I'm reminded of the personal stories behind the numbers. The stories of mail-order brides seem so fantastical to me and quite compelling. What an interesting twist on the history of marriage itself. I look forward to learning more about these demographic issues in the weeks to come.

[Anonymous]

Due the demographic crisis in Asian countries, gender roles have shifted in Asia. According to the article, “ Men will have to compete much harder if they want to attract a mate, and that surely means doing more housework.” Women are not as inclined to marry as much as they used to be. Women are seeking higher education and focusing on their careers more. Such dynamics is the result of low fertility and industrialization. Couples are marrying at a later age. Such dynamics are similar to what occurred in Europe during the industrial time period. Although people argue that the demographic crisis will continue, researchers suggests that this crisis will correct itself once cultural roles are shifted. If women are expected to have children and be housekeepers, the demographic crisis will continue.

[Anonymous]

I have always read about China’s environmental crisis. “China’s Environmental Crisis” highlights the impacts it has had on it public health. I found it shocking that north of the Huai River, life expectancy I 5.5 years lower that in the south due to air pollution. Unfortunately due to China’s economic boom, its country has to deal the environmental crisis aftermath. It is very unfortunate the price people and the environment have to pay for institutions and policies. Currently China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. It is not only on China to change this environmental crisis. This is a world issue that needs to be addressed by everyone. IF no actions are not taken, soon the US and out neighboring countries will be affected by China’s environmental crisis.

[Anonymous]

http://www.npr.org/2016/02/01/465124337/how-chinas-one-child-policy-led-to-forced-abortions-30-million-bachelors

After discussion the topic of abortion and the One Child policy in China, I found the following article about the impact this policy had on families. Now after the policy has ended, there are more the 30 million more men than women that leaves them without any spouses. The impact of such policy will affect the family structures for the next century. Additionally, China is now facing a shortage of workers who can support its aging population.[font=Georgia] [/font]Although this policy has reduced China’s population, could there have been alternative policies that solve overpopulation?

[cgao]

Please post your reactions to the readings and lecture here.

[Anonymous]

What I appreciate about these readings is how they relate to the time I spent overseas, trying to understand the customs and cultures from the inside out, having perspectives placed upon me about roles gender and sexuality play in the Asian culture primary in Korea and being awakened to the idea that there is acceptance of outsiders in the mostly homogeneous community.

I knew a few foreigners, mostly American White women who were married to Korean men, who struggled with acceptance within the family dynamics, because the mother wanted her son to marry a Korean woman, or a certain woman. But reading the piece of Bride school, knowing that Korea as a whole, with no apparent bias was creating a way for successful partnerships, was a view of Korea I had not awareness of, it is unspoken, and even more unseen.

Korea comes together in pockets and I saw often like her in the US, people gravitated to what they were comfortable with, what they knew and what feels familiar so the likeliness that I would be privy to this concept of brides selected through brokered for those less desirable and groomed to better create a equal match in a place that is all about love and being loved as a sign of validation, seems like something that won't be a mainstream concept. But it is one I respect, for both parties, and for the country to want to encourage and create success in these marriages.

[Author]

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