South Koreans buy into a U.S. education

[영어도우미]

 

South Koreans buy into a U.S. education

Aruna Lee

Sunday, February 5, 2006

 

A growing number of South Korean parents are paying retired couples in the United States to adopt their children. The Korean parents say teaching their children English is a priority, as are other factors, including avoiding compulsory military service for young men and gaining the prestige of an American education.

 

One out of three South Korean parents are willing to send their children abroad for the sake of a better education, according to a study by the Center for Korean Education Development in Seoul, published in the Korea Times of Los Angeles. In the past, parents would ask relatives living in the United States to adopt their children, but more parents are now seeking out Caucasian families who are strangers to them.

 

Putting a child up for adoption in the United States allows South Korean parents to skirt normal immigration procedures, a drawn-out process with no guarantee of approval. Parents generally seek retired American couples, whose own children often have left home and who now have room to spare. The American couples receive a sum of money in exchange for adopting a child and providing food and housing. Couples receive more than $30,000, with additional payments as necessary to cover room and board for each child they adopt.

 

In return, the child gains legal status in the United States, as well as the privilege of attending American schools. The Korean birth parents relinquish all legal claims to their children, sending them instead to grow up in a house with people they have never met.

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/02/05/INGC6H1OFQ1.DTL

 

VOCABULARY LIST:

 

compulsory- If something is compulsory, you must do it because of a rule or law

prestige- respect and admiration given to someone or something, usually because of a reputation for high quality, success or social influence

Caucasian- someone belonging to the races of people who have skin that is of a pale colour

skirt- to avoid discussing a subject or problem, usually because there are difficulties that you do not want to deal with

drawn-out- to cause something to last longer than is usual or necessary

relinquish- to give up something such as a responsibility or claim

 

POINTS FOR DISCUSSION:

 

1. Do you agree that American education is better than Korean education? What are the advantages of a child being educated in the United States?

 

2. Is this system of "buying US education" beneficial to both the children and their parents? Explain your answer.

 

3. If you're a parent, would you arrange for your children to be adopted by American couples?

 

4. Would you be willing to relinquish all legal claims to your children if you do so?

 

5. Do you think the adopted kids will have a happy life in a foreign country living with their adoptive parents?

 

6. Should the Korean government be addressing this issue? Do you think this affects the structure of the Korean families?