Childhood at the behest of the leader, or how children are brought up in North Korea
Raising children in Germany
Each country in the world has its own principles of raising children, which are passed down from generation to generation and are based either on traditions that came from the distant past, or on modern and, dare I say it, fashion trends.
Raising children in France
For example, in most progressive European countries, children are allowed from an early age not to identify themselves with any particular gender – male or female. A child has the right to be who he feels he is, which means to dress according to his feelings, and to do the same. Forbidding a child to be who he wants to be is practically a crime!
Parenting in America
But in Scandinavian countries, it is impossible not only to slap a child on the butt for the sake of prevention, but even to raise your voice at him. And if this happens in front of witnesses, the parents, who are unfortunate in the opinion of society, will at best be warned about the undesirability of such actions, and at worst, they will be deprived of their rights to the child. And this is not a joke.
Raising children in Sweden
From the bell tower of the parental experience of Russian citizens, such things seem, at the very least, wild. Well, how can you not yell at a hysterical child or slap him lightly on the butt? It was God Himself who commanded it! In addition, previous generations were brought up using exactly the same methods, simple and intelligible, so modern Russians do not see anything reprehensible in pedagogical spanking.
Raising children in Russia
However, some advanced parents still try to introduce some European principles into their system of upbringing: for example, give the child more freedoms, do not raise your voice at him and do not punish him even for obvious offenses. And what to do? That’s right: talk and explain.
Raising children in Russia
Russian parents, as well as European and American parents, have the opportunity to choose the principles of raising the future generation, and I think this is very great. But the citizens of North Korea do not have such an opportunity, and young Koreans are brought up according to the “manual” approved by the North Korean government – let’s call it that. From the moment of birth, an infant in North Korea acquires a kind of social status or songboon (ancestry), which is usually passed on to the next generation through the paternal line. Social status by birthright, how do you like it?!
Children in North Korea
So, a newborn Korean is automatically assigned to a certain class: loyal or basic (people who have managed to show sincere devotion to the state), vacillating (ordinary Koreans), or hostile (possible subversive elements: for example, former landowners). A child’s social class determines not only the attitude towards him in society, but also, for example, the school in which he will study, the institute to which he will then be able (or not) to enter, and, of course, the likelihood of his joining the party.
Children in North Korea
Upon reaching the age of 4, young North Koreans can go to a nursery or kindergarten at the request of their parents, but from the age of 5, this already becomes a prerequisite for their further education at school. It must be said that the state takes children into circulation from a very early age, and already in the younger kindergarten groups they are instilled with love and respect for the leader.
Children in North Korea
So, for example, children assemble a model of the Mangyongdae house, where Kim Il Sung was born, from blocks, and teachers, instead of reading fairy tales, tell them about his exploits. By the way, in North Korean kindergartens, instead of educational books, children read propaganda comics that cultivate hatred of the West, and America in particular, in the minds of the younger generation.
Children in North Korea
At the age of 5, North Korean children begin to be actively accustomed to physical labor and are taught that nothing in this life is given for free, but only through hard work. Therefore, five-year-old boys and girls in North Korea, instead of watching cartoons or playing catch-up with friends, go to work in the fields, cut down trees and shrubs, help at construction sites and during the laying of railways. And I’m not kidding!
Children in North Korea
Moreover, the working day of children is not much different from the full-fledged working day of their parents: it can last 8 or 10 hours, and for failure to comply with the labor norm, children may well receive punishment or even a fine. In the future, having become a little older, schoolchildren will be required to undergo training and industrial practice, designed to help the younger generation integrate into labor collectives. On average, students work eight to ten weeks each year.
Children in North Korea
Since 2013, North Korea has introduced a new school system, according to which children go to school at the age of 7. For the first 5 years, they study in primary school, the next 3 years in middle school, and another 3 years in high school.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
And, having received a certificate, graduates can continue their education at a college, university, vocational school or… go to work. By the way, a lot of young Koreans, especially those from poor families, go to work immediately after school, because, firstly, they need to support their families, and, secondly, they simply have nothing to pay for further education.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
In general, it should be said that North Korea borrowed the school education system from the Soviet Union, because Soviet schoolchildren, starting from the first grade, spent most of the daylight hours within the walls of the school. Lessons, sports, after-school groups, clubs and additional classes – all this was adopted by the North Korean authorities, believing that in this way it would be possible to cram the maximum amount of useful information for the state into the younger generation.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
And how could it be otherwise, if from the first grade, children begin to study the most important things – the biographies of the country’s leaders Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong-un – and get used to the idea that the president of North Korea is a king and a God, one of a kind.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
In addition to socio-political disciplines, which generally take up about a third of all school time, North Korean schoolchildren study the history and geography of Joseon (the name of Korea until 1897), Korean literature, psychology, logic, Korean and English, as well as mathematics, natural sciences and physical education.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
In addition, the upbringing of children in North Korea is highly militarized (probably due to the constant threat of war), so schoolchildren are required to engage in drill, take civil defense courses, as well as practice in military units during the summer holidays. And this applies to both boys and girls.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
At the age of 10-12, absolutely all schoolchildren are required to join the so-called Korean Children’s Union, the main task of which is to hold political and ideological meetings, at which young North Koreans draw propaganda posters and learn patriotic slogans, and to instill in children the idea that North Korea is the best state in the world.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
Having joined the union, children regularly take part in parades, during which they are dressed up in real military uniforms and seated in cars with toy rocket launchers.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
By the way, the North Korean authorities adhere to a simple rule in relation to the process of educating the younger generation – a child must be busy with something, then all sorts of “harmful” thoughts will not appear in his head. Therefore, in addition to compulsory schooling, the DPRK pays great attention to additional education – all kinds of sections and hobby groups.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
For example, in Pyongyang there is a well-known Palace of Schoolchildren, where young North Korean citizens learn music, drawing, attend sports sections, as well as programming courses. By the way, such circles exist not only in Pyongyang. In any, even a very small city in North Korea, there is always a studio or school where a child will be offered activities of interest. And this, I think, is a great initiative!
Childhood at the behest of the leader, or how children are brought up in North Korea
Raising children in Germany
Each country in the world has its own principles of raising children, which are passed down from generation to generation and are based either on traditions that came from the distant past, or on modern and, dare I say it, fashion trends.
Raising children in France
For example, in most progressive European countries, children are allowed from an early age not to identify themselves with any particular gender – male or female. A child has the right to be who he feels he is, which means to dress according to his feelings, and to do the same. Forbidding a child to be who he wants to be is practically a crime!
Parenting in America
But in Scandinavian countries, it is impossible not only to slap a child on the butt for the sake of prevention, but even to raise your voice at him. And if this happens in front of witnesses, the parents, who are unfortunate in the opinion of society, will at best be warned about the undesirability of such actions, and at worst, they will be deprived of their rights to the child. And this is not a joke.
Raising children in Sweden
From the bell tower of the parental experience of Russian citizens, such things seem, at the very least, wild. Well, how can you not yell at a hysterical child or slap him lightly on the butt? It was God Himself who commanded it! In addition, previous generations were brought up using exactly the same methods, simple and intelligible, so modern Russians do not see anything reprehensible in pedagogical spanking.
Raising children in Russia
However, some advanced parents still try to introduce some European principles into their system of upbringing: for example, give the child more freedoms, do not raise your voice at him and do not punish him even for obvious offenses. And what to do? That’s right: talk and explain.
Raising children in Russia
Russian parents, as well as European and American parents, have the opportunity to choose the principles of raising the future generation, and I think this is very great. But the citizens of North Korea do not have such an opportunity, and young Koreans are brought up according to the “manual” approved by the North Korean government – let’s call it that. From the moment of birth, an infant in North Korea acquires a kind of social status or songboon (ancestry), which is usually passed on to the next generation through the paternal line. Social status by birthright, how do you like it?!
Children in North Korea
So, a newborn Korean is automatically assigned to a certain class: loyal or basic (people who have managed to show sincere devotion to the state), vacillating (ordinary Koreans), or hostile (possible subversive elements: for example, former landowners). A child’s social class determines not only the attitude towards him in society, but also, for example, the school in which he will study, the institute to which he will then be able (or not) to enter, and, of course, the likelihood of his joining the party.
Children in North Korea
Upon reaching the age of 4, young North Koreans can go to a nursery or kindergarten at the request of their parents, but from the age of 5, this already becomes a prerequisite for their further education at school. It must be said that the state takes children into circulation from a very early age, and already in the younger kindergarten groups they are instilled with love and respect for the leader.
Children in North Korea
So, for example, children assemble a model of the Mangyongdae house, where Kim Il Sung was born, from blocks, and teachers, instead of reading fairy tales, tell them about his exploits. By the way, in North Korean kindergartens, instead of educational books, children read propaganda comics that cultivate hatred of the West, and America in particular, in the minds of the younger generation.
Children in North Korea
At the age of 5, North Korean children begin to be actively accustomed to physical labor and are taught that nothing in this life is given for free, but only through hard work. Therefore, five-year-old boys and girls in North Korea, instead of watching cartoons or playing catch-up with friends, go to work in the fields, cut down trees and shrubs, help at construction sites and during the laying of railways. And I’m not kidding!
Children in North Korea
Moreover, the working day of children is not much different from the full-fledged working day of their parents: it can last 8 or 10 hours, and for failure to comply with the labor norm, children may well receive punishment or even a fine. In the future, having become a little older, schoolchildren will be required to undergo training and industrial practice, designed to help the younger generation integrate into labor collectives. On average, students work eight to ten weeks each year.
Children in North Korea
Since 2013, North Korea has introduced a new school system, according to which children go to school at the age of 7. For the first 5 years, they study in primary school, the next 3 years in middle school, and another 3 years in high school.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
And, having received a certificate, graduates can continue their education at a college, university, vocational school or… go to work. By the way, a lot of young Koreans, especially those from poor families, go to work immediately after school, because, firstly, they need to support their families, and, secondly, they simply have nothing to pay for further education.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
In general, it should be said that North Korea borrowed the school education system from the Soviet Union, because Soviet schoolchildren, starting from the first grade, spent most of the daylight hours within the walls of the school. Lessons, sports, after-school groups, clubs and additional classes – all this was adopted by the North Korean authorities, believing that in this way it would be possible to cram the maximum amount of useful information for the state into the younger generation.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
And how could it be otherwise, if from the first grade, children begin to study the most important things – the biographies of the country’s leaders Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong-un – and get used to the idea that the president of North Korea is a king and a God, one of a kind.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
In addition to socio-political disciplines, which generally take up about a third of all school time, North Korean schoolchildren study the history and geography of Joseon (the name of Korea until 1897), Korean literature, psychology, logic, Korean and English, as well as mathematics, natural sciences and physical education.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
In addition, the upbringing of children in North Korea is highly militarized (probably due to the constant threat of war), so schoolchildren are required to engage in drill, take civil defense courses, as well as practice in military units during the summer holidays. And this applies to both boys and girls.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
At the age of 10-12, absolutely all schoolchildren are required to join the so-called Korean Children’s Union, the main task of which is to hold political and ideological meetings, at which young North Koreans draw propaganda posters and learn patriotic slogans, and to instill in children the idea that North Korea is the best state in the world.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
Having joined the union, children regularly take part in parades, during which they are dressed up in real military uniforms and seated in cars with toy rocket launchers.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
By the way, the North Korean authorities adhere to a simple rule in relation to the process of educating the younger generation – a child must be busy with something, then all sorts of “harmful” thoughts will not appear in his head. Therefore, in addition to compulsory schooling, the DPRK pays great attention to additional education – all kinds of sections and hobby groups.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
For example, in Pyongyang there is a well-known Palace of Schoolchildren, where young North Korean citizens learn music, drawing, attend sports sections, as well as programming courses. By the way, such circles exist not only in Pyongyang. In any, even a very small city in North Korea, there is always a studio or school where a child will be offered activities of interest. And this, I think, is a great initiative!
Schoolchildren in North Korea
From all of the above, it is obvious that the upbringing of children in North Korea is based solely on their preparation for the rigors of adulthood. Moreover, the sooner this preparation begins, the better. In fact, this is true, but children in North Korea, at least a little, manage to be children. There are also playgrounds, entertainment centers and amusement parks for them.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
All this, of course, is on a more modest scale than, say, in Europe and America, but nevertheless. Well, in their free time from studies and clubs, little North Koreans, like all normal children, watch cartoons… True, it is locally produced. Everything foreign and even South Korean is strictly prohibited.
Children in North Korea
But North Korean kids do not have to think about all sorts of unhealthy treats that children love so much. The fact is that children in the DPRK are taught from early childhood that they need to eat everything that is served on the table – without whims and showing off.
Children in North Korea
And since the diet of most North Koreans is based on very modest products, little North Koreans have not even heard of all kinds of delicacies, such as french fries or nuggets, so they are happy to sweep away everything that is currently on their plates. And how not to sweep away, if, according to statistics, the majority of the population in North Korea is regularly malnourished…
Children in North Korea
And finally. If you think that North Korea instills in its citizens a sense of justice and equality for all, that everyone in the country lives the same and that there is no division into rich and poor, then you are deeply mistaken. More precisely, those who believe in it are mistaken. The fact is that for many years in the DPRK there has been a system of elite schools, where exceptionally gifted children aged 3 to 5 get in. The only question is, how is this “giftedness” recognized? Oh well…
Schoolchildren in North Korea
Children who get into an elite school receive a specialized targeted education, most often technical. And the graduates further replenish the intellectual elite of North Korea: they work in closed research institutes and in the future become the personnel base of the country’s leadership.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
Schoolchildren in North Korea
From all of the above, it is obvious that the upbringing of children in North Korea is based solely on their preparation for the rigors of adulthood. Moreover, the sooner this preparation begins, the better. In fact, this is true, but children in North Korea, at least a little, manage to be children. There are also playgrounds, entertainment centers and amusement parks for them.
Schoolchildren in North Korea
All this, of course, is on a more modest scale than, say, in Europe and America, but nevertheless. Well, in their free time from studies and clubs, little North Koreans, like all normal children, watch cartoons… True, it is locally produced. Everything foreign and even South Korean is strictly prohibited.
Children in North Korea
But North Korean kids do not have to think about all sorts of unhealthy treats that children love so much. The fact is that children in the DPRK are taught from early childhood that they need to eat everything that is served on the table – without whims and showing off.
Children in North Korea
And since the diet of most North Koreans is based on very modest products, little North Koreans have not even heard of all kinds of delicacies, such as french fries or nuggets, so they are happy to sweep away everything that is currently on their plates. And how not to sweep away, if, according to statistics, the majority of the population in North Korea is regularly malnourished…
Children in North Korea
And finally. If you think that North Korea instills in its citizens a sense of justice and equality for all, that everyone in the country lives the same and that there is no division into rich and poor, then you are deeply mistaken. More precisely, those who believe in it are mistaken. The fact is that for many years in the DPRK there has been a system of elite schools, where exceptionally gifted children aged 3 to 5 get in. The only question is, how is this “giftedness” recognized? Oh well…
Schoolchildren in North Korea
Children who get into an elite school receive a specialized targeted education, most often technical. And the graduates further replenish the intellectual elite of North Korea: they work in closed research institutes and in the future become the personnel base of the country’s leadership.
Schoolchildren in North Korea