Food, Gender, and Family Network in Modern Korean Society

Authors

  • Sangmee Bak Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Keywords:

food, gender, anthropology, Korea

Abstract

This paper discusses the relationship between food and women’s identity in Korea focusing upon kimchi making and its distribution through family network. Through this, the paper shows how food making and sharing can be sources of women’s power as well as hard work. Giving kimchi to family members and relatives can be a source of satisfaction for many Korean women because as feeders in families, they fulfill their maternal responsibility and confirm their maternal identity. In a more general framework, this paper illustrates how food can make, break, reinforce, or weaken social relationships, especially in the context of family and kinship. Anthropological fieldwork and qualitative analysis have been the primary research method of gathering and processing the research data.

Author Biography

Sangmee Bak, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Professor

Division of International Studies

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Published

2014-02-15

How to Cite

Bak, S. (2014). Food, Gender, and Family Network in Modern Korean Society. Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 2(1). Retrieved from https://www.ajouronline.com/index.php/AJHSS/article/view/842