Comments on: Special School IDs for Korean Kids with Naturally Brown or Curly Hair http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/ Korea... in Blog Format Mon, 7 Jul 2008 05:45:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: hardyandtiny http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145164 hardyandtiny Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:19:18 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145164 "...but requiring kids who look different to get a special ID card takes the cake." That's a good point. Maybe they can embed the info and give the teachers card readers. “…but requiring kids who look different to get a special ID card takes the cake.”
That’s a good point. Maybe they can embed the info and give the teachers card readers.

]]> By: Maddlew http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145163 Maddlew Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:08:22 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145163 Timmy, your comments are very candid and insightful and lack the "knee-jerk" sensitivity of some. I think the contrast is that because you have lingered in the periphery your remarks are responsive rather than reactive, thoughtful rather than emotional. We ex-pats can be the same way. Certainly our criticisms could sometimes do with a little more objectivity and less emotion. Timmy, your comments are very candid and insightful and lack the “knee-jerk” sensitivity of some. I think the contrast is that because you have lingered in the periphery your remarks are responsive rather than reactive, thoughtful rather than emotional. We ex-pats can be the same way. Certainly our criticisms could sometimes do with a little more objectivity and less emotion.

]]> By: bumfromkorea http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145161 bumfromkorea Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:20:47 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145161 I'd argue that intaking/observing expat opinion (qualitatively, not quantitatively) allows for a more balanced views, rather than that the expat opinion = balanced view. I’d argue that intaking/observing expat opinion (qualitatively, not quantitatively) allows for a more balanced views, rather than that the expat opinion = balanced view.

]]> By: Sonagi http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145160 Sonagi Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:09:24 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145160 I have a feeling that last sentence won't go down well with some of our commenters, and I can't say that I agree. Expats, as outsiders from a different culture, have a different view but not more accurate or objective. None of the expat and few of the ethnic Korean commenters here know first-hand what it is like to be a student in a Korean high school. You do. I have a feeling that last sentence won’t go down well with some of our commenters, and I can’t say that I agree. Expats, as outsiders from a different culture, have a different view but not more accurate or objective. None of the expat and few of the ethnic Korean commenters here know first-hand what it is like to be a student in a Korean high school. You do.

]]> By: Timmy http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145155 Timmy Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:11:44 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145155 Sonagi: Thanks for the compliment. I personally think Korea has risen in status to a point where Koreans can stop feeling so insecure, but on the other hand, it's hard for some not to be defensive when they feel our country's survival always depends on what the surrounding superpowers (espcially the US) think of us. I don't blame them, but the way I see it, the more insecure you are, the more illogical and unconvincing your arguments become. I've been a (very inactive) lurker for less than a year, and only started commenting a couple of months ago. I feel that expats have a much more accurate and objective view of Korea, so I very much enjoy coming here. Sonagi:

Thanks for the compliment. I personally think Korea has risen in status to a point where Koreans can stop feeling so insecure, but on the other hand, it’s hard for some not to be defensive when they feel our country’s survival always depends on what the surrounding superpowers (espcially the US) think of us. I don’t blame them, but the way I see it, the more insecure you are, the more illogical and unconvincing your arguments become.

I’ve been a (very inactive) lurker for less than a year, and only started commenting a couple of months ago. I feel that expats have a much more accurate and objective view of Korea, so I very much enjoy coming here.

]]> By: Netizen Kim http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145148 Netizen Kim Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:26:22 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145148 Educators should focus more on effective pedagogy than stupid, irrelevant bullshit like this. Educators should focus more on effective pedagogy than stupid, irrelevant bullshit like this.

]]> By: bumfromkorea http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145144 bumfromkorea Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:49:06 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145144 I think another school of thought involved in this 'regulation' is that deviation from the standard is distracting from their schoolwork. Of course, that's why in countries like U.S. only kids who went to private schools with strict dress codes go to college while the public schooled kids are lucky enough to graduate. (That last sentence was supposed to be sarcastic, but now that I have written it, it's a hyperbolic truth. Oh man...) Repression of individuality in an era where individuality is more or less globally accepted will only lead to deviation (aka "PK" effect). I think another school of thought involved in this ‘regulation’ is that deviation from the standard is distracting from their schoolwork. Of course, that’s why in countries like U.S. only kids who went to private schools with strict dress codes go to college while the public schooled kids are lucky enough to graduate. (That last sentence was supposed to be sarcastic, but now that I have written it, it’s a hyperbolic truth. Oh man…)

Repression of individuality in an era where individuality is more or less globally accepted will only lead to deviation (aka “PK” effect).

]]> By: SomeguyinKorea http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145118 SomeguyinKorea Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:13:09 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145118 "Anyway, I find it surprising because such policies were quite common awhile ago in Western private or non-secular schools (though I’m quite certain these traditions are maintained at some schools)." Why is it surprising? Were they forced to carry an ID card to prove that their hair is natural? "While they never asked for a special verification..." So, you admit your previous point is moot? "...if a kid showed up with a hair color that was suspected of being dyed or bleached, teachers would bug the parents about it and if the kid did do said deed, they’d be sent home until it got cut." You forget that the parents agreed that the kids will follow the school's dress code when they signed them up for school (and the dress code was well spelled out to them). I dislike school dress codes (they marginalize the kids)... but requiring kids who look different to get a special ID card takes the cake. Did it occur to you the kind of psychological damage this may cause to the kids who look different? Aren't the teachers supposed to help these kids grow as well adjusted individuals? What kind of message is this sending to them? Don't you think they've been harassed enough by their classmates? Besides, if you look at it in practically terms, its fairly easy to tell the difference between a dye job, a perm, and someone's natural hair. “Anyway, I find it surprising because such policies were quite common awhile ago in Western private or non-secular schools (though I’m quite certain these traditions are maintained at some schools).”

Why is it surprising? Were they forced to carry an ID card to prove that their hair is natural?

“While they never asked for a special verification…”

So, you admit your previous point is moot?

“…if a kid showed up with a hair color that was suspected of being dyed or bleached, teachers would bug the parents about it and if the kid did do said deed, they’d be sent home until it got cut.”

You forget that the parents agreed that the kids will follow the school’s dress code when they signed them up for school (and the dress code was well spelled out to them).

I dislike school dress codes (they marginalize the kids)… but requiring kids who look different to get a special ID card takes the cake. Did it occur to you the kind of psychological damage this may cause to the kids who look different? Aren’t the teachers supposed to help these kids grow as well adjusted individuals? What kind of message is this sending to them? Don’t you think they’ve been harassed enough by their classmates?

Besides, if you look at it in practically terms, its fairly easy to tell the difference between a dye job, a perm, and someone’s natural hair.

]]> By: hardyandtiny http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145110 hardyandtiny Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:43:11 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145110 "Recently schools have been requiring students with naturally colored or curly hair to obtain proof." Okay “Recently schools have been requiring students with naturally colored or curly hair to obtain proof.”

Okay

]]> By: Benicio74 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145095 Benicio74 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:26:36 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/03/30/special-school-ids-for-korean-kids-with-naturally-brown-or-curly-hair/#comment-145095 You're talking about private schools- whole different thing. These are public schools which are not supposed to practice discrimination or use corporal punishment, but they still do because they just can't seem to evolve. If they want to be "global" or the "hub" of anything, they've got to get rid of pea brained lack of thinking like this! You’re talking about private schools- whole different thing.

These are public schools which are not supposed to practice discrimination or use corporal punishment, but they still do because they just can’t seem to evolve.
If they want to be “global” or the “hub” of anything, they’ve got to get rid of pea brained
lack of thinking like this!

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