The 21st century is a global era, an era where young people are moving abroad
Former national football team coach Cha Bum-kun recently spoke out about the recent discord rumors within the national team. He said that the role of adults is important in resolving the conflict between generations, saying, “Lee Kang-in's parents and I should be punished with a cane.” Coach Cha said, “In Europe, there is an idea that everyone is a colleague, regardless of seniority or age, and it is not unusual for coaching staff to strongly express their opinions.” “(Players who have lived in Europe) can’t help but naturally learn and resemble the culture they’ve experienced.” He then added, “Korean football is now facing a crucial period with added generational gaps alongside the differences between Eastern and Western cultures.” “It's a difficult atmosphere to understand, but the world is changing,” he said.
He continued, “Eastern humility and sacrifice, or the sense of responsibility as a member of the South Korean national team, can be considered old-fashioned and useless. However, Eastern interpersonal relationships are a weapon and asset that we have naturally inherited.” “It’s the secret to how Park Ji-sung was loved by a world-famous club and successfully ended his career, and it’s also my secret,” he said. Coach Cha said, “We haven’t actively considered or tried to educate about the friction between generations who have experienced different cultures.” “I thought I was old and could rest. Looking back now, I’m very ashamed,” he said.
Finally, he added, “Parents who are here now need to consider what adults should do.” “We must first think about what is important for our children’s dignified success, their true success.”
(Source: Cha Bum-kun, “Lee Kang-in’s parents and I should be punished with a cane… Thankfully, Son Heung-min is the captain” (daum.net) JoongAng Ilbo, Mun Ji-yeon reporter, February 29, 2024)
Since the beginning of the 21st century, young people in South Korea have been moving abroad, and they have faced difficulties due to unfamiliar cultures and languages encountered there. As time passes, they unknowingly absorb Western individualistic and horizontal cultures. On the other hand, they experience confusion as their own identity, that is, the Korean sentiment and culture, becomes mixed within them.
Looking at children who have immigrated to the United States, we can see a difference between children who learn the importance of their mother tongue, culture, and history from their parents at home and maintain their Korean identity and those who don't. In the case of immigrant children who were educated to overlook their Korean identity in order to enter the white mainstream society due to their parents’ ambitions, they unconsciously experience a double identity crisis after becoming adults.
For a person to grow up healthily and balanced, maintaining a strong sense of self-identity within their inner being while adapting to a new culture and society and living an altruistic life is important. This is not that different from what the Bible emphasizes. For children of God to restore God’s attribute of holiness, obey His word, and fulfill His will on earth is God’s command and obligation.
It cannot be overemphasized how important education on the Bible, history, culture, and language is within the family. For the sake of the next generation, the current generation must realize this and strive to put it into practice.
March 1, 2024, Cham Gil
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