조선후기 兩班女性의 생활과 여성리더십 - 17세기 행장을 중심으로 -

Abstract

This research looks into the life and feminine leadership of Yang’ban women in the 17th century. With the opening of the 17th century, The Chosun society was facing political instability due to bung’dang and the wars against Japan and China. Theologically, ye’hak began to take root, strengthening ties within families. The expectations and roles given to women were separated from those of men, giving women the purpose of leading the in-house culture so that the family could become the best lineage within the social community. The education of women improved as the 17th century settled in. Parents provided their daughters with good education so that they may adjust well in their new environments after marriage. Married women endeavored actively to adjust to their husbands’ families. Women educated their children and endeavored to rear their children to success so that they may maintain and expand their families. The Yang’ban women would never throw away their dignity, even if their families declined. They would not stop rebuking their children even if they had already succeeded. The women of the 17th century did not simply rely solely on their husbands. Women were not only faithful in commanding the housework, but also led the family economy, while their husbands concentrated on politics and left their family treasuries to be. The yang’ban women also showed leadership in managing relatives and servants. Women managed the relatives and servants of the family, and also showed deep compassion towards people who were in difficult situations around them. They also poured all their hearts in preparing ceremonial services for the ancestors, and in preparing liquor and food for guests who visit the house. Women represented servant leadership. Yang’ban women were fundamentally prohibited from advancing into public society, and they recognized their roles as within the private sectors. Since women were not allowed any political or social organizational activities, they practiced leadership within their lives in the family and lineage. Women showed leadership in the various areas of educating their children, managing family assets, managing relatives and servants, and administering ceremonial services and guests. Women exercised unique feminine talents to show multi-layered and integrated leadership in the areas of persuasion, support, caring, and serving. The feminine leadership that the women of the 17th century experienced became the index for feminine leadership in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was accommodated as a valid value.