유교적 가족주의, 해체인가 복원인가 - 새로운 가족윤리를 모색하며

Abstract

Confucian family principles have compelled sacrifices from young people which is different from the principles original ideas. Confucian family principles are hard to harmonize with the individualism in the modern society with its emphasis on rationality and human rights. However, individualism does not reflect the true feelings of most Korean people. Therefore, current family principles should consider both individualism and Confucianism culture. Which way should modern family principles go? The modern society and modern family principles demand the ethical relationships based on mutualism. Confucian family principles were unilateral and vertical relationships. Some might disagree, but most people believe the basic idea of Confucianism is unilateral and vertical. The relationships between parents and children in Confucianism require much more devotion than any other human relationship, but since the relationship is unilateral, it’s not a viable principle in the modern family. To incorporate Confucianism into current family principles, parents should exercise restraint in their reckless love and overprotectiveness, and responsibility and reason, not unconditional sacrifices, is required of children. This relationship does not break the Confucian family principles because it still has the love of parents and Hyo(孝:filial piety) from children. In addition, since the modern society has become an aging society, the cares of older people and children, might be the most important moral challenge in 21st century, Korea.