일제하 ‘식모폐지론(食母廢止論)’의 등장과 가사 담론의 한계

Abstract

This paper examines discourses on domestic labor in Korea, with a focus on the claim for the ‘abolition of domestic service’ during the colonial period under Japanese imperialism. This period marked the recognition of domestic service labor as a part of society for the first time. Through this exploration, this article aims to gain insights into contemporary social discourses on domestic labor in Korea. The pressing request for the ‘abolition of domestic service’ in colonial Korean society during that period has a distinctive aspect compared to other societies of the time. This is particularly evident in the notable disconnection between reality and discourse. For example, discussions about domestic laborers in the United States and Japan saw an increased emphasis on the direct engagement of housewives in domestic work, a response that became prominent as the shortage of domestic laborers reached a critical point during the process of industrialization. However, in colonial Korea, even with a consistent supply of female labor for domestic work in the late 1920s, a robust voice favoring the abolition of domestic service surfaced. This discrepancy arose because the women who were the main subjects of the domestic labor issue could not actively participate in the discourse in colonial Korea. The “abolition” discourse was intertwined with the resentment and criticism against the “new women” by male Korean intellectuals who were leading the discourse. Even those of new women who had limited participation in discussions aligned with the “abolition” discourse to defend themselves against the criticism of new women and emphasize their modern housewife roles. As wartime mobilization began, elite women, emerging as home economics experts, had increased opportunities to publicly express their views. However, that doesn’t mean that they could actively participate in the arena of discourses. The elite women who had aligned themselves with colonial authorities since the 1930s intensified the discourse on the ‘abolition of domestic service,’ reinforcing it with the logic of total mobilization, which lead to an effective collaboration during the wartime period.