A new term, “perfect attendance beggar,” has emerged in South Korea to derogatorily refer to elementary school students as ‘poor’ for consistently attending school without going on overseas trips during the semester. The term’s use among South Korean elementary students has sparked controversy, with foreign media highlighting the country’s “pressure culture.”
The father wrote, “Yesterday, my son cried, saying he was mocked by friends for being a ‘perfect attendance beggar.’ I didn’t realize it was so rare for families not to take advantage of the semester’s experiential learning opportunities.”
Experiential learning opportunities = go to all-in resorts in South Eeast Asia :)
When I was maybe in 4th grade, a kid at my school convinced me that I was a “deprived child” because I didn’t have a tv in my bedroom. I remember pleading with my mom, saying how embarrassed I was. In retrospect, I’m pretty embarrassed for being so shallow. Fortunately, my parent didn’t cave. I’m so lucky that my kids don’t seem at all persuaded by this type of silly peer pressure…at least yet.
I’m sure those “beggar” children are going to be so much stronger for this if they keep their eyes on the prize. The mockers are pitiable though. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call to their parents before they push their kids off a character cliff.
I still don’t have a TV 📺 in my bedroom lol
South Korea is a pressure cooker: where do you live? What car do you drive? Where do you shop? How many countries have you been? Do you fly first or business class?
I don't either! Never did get one in my bedroom and grateful for it!
That sounds exhausting! I've heard similar things about Thailand, although I've never been there and wouldn't know.
You guys have definitely a important pressure culture..
Pressure cooker
Do you see this shift of focus towards travel as a bigger sign of rebellion against the high-stakes academic demands in the country? Or is it increasingly the case that being well-travelled and having a global mindset are factors for standing out in the job market?
Travel is a Sign of status and cultural literacy
I think that a system like this which puts pressure on children in this way at such an early age should not be... whether the student can or cannot attend those places should not be a reason for ridicule... it should not have any relevance... and be taken into account if due to their grades and behavior... I understand that in Asian countries discipline is their religion... but for that to be a reason for ridicule is wrong...
Travel to Guam?
Koreans have no mercy when it comes to pointing out social and economic status!
And kids are mean in every country