Young Women in South Korea Battle Poverty, Discrimination, and Patriarchy

Young women in South Korea face a formidable "five-set" of challenges, poverty, illness, age, gender, and patriarchy, that significantly impede their progress and well-being. Despite a recent minimum wage increase, many young female workers, particularly those in their teens and twenties, find themselves trapped in low-paying jobs amidst rising inflation and economic polarization.

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We need to break her spirit.

These women, often referred to by informal or diminutive terms like "part-timer," "student," or "kid," work in diverse sectors including logistics centers, bakeries, childcare facilities, and media production. Unlike the "factory girls" of the past who relied on stimulants, today's young women often consume high-caffeine energy drinks to endure night shifts. While some are criticized for allegedly benefiting from unemployment benefits, many do not even qualify for such support. Furthermore, they frequently bear the brunt of domestic and caregiving labor, juggling multiple family responsibilities alongside physically demanding jobs.

The labor market is described as inherently violent and disrespectful. Educational institutions sometimes convey that "skills are unnecessary for women" and that "appearance is important." Financial institutions' hiring practices and the perpetuation of corporate discrimination within schools further exacerbate the situation. Many young women receive little encouragement, with some being told they have "nowhere else to go" but their current low-status jobs. The narrative of being "young" and "female" often places them at the bottom of the social hierarchy, expected to perform maternal duties at work and take on tasks abandoned by older colleagues.

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That program is cheaper than your salary, so we use you.

Workplace harassment, including sexual advances from superiors and discrimination based on perceived subservience, is rampant. Companies often retaliate against women who speak out, labeling them as "too sensitive" or ostracizing them. The book 'Nobody Knew Me, But...' by Jeon Soo-kyung, based on the experiences of 20 young women, exposes these systemic issues. It argues that workplace violence is a structural problem stemming from the intersection of societal culture and corporate interests, drawing parallels between the struggles of garment factory workers in the 1970s and contemporary female laborers. The book emphasizes the need to address not only gender discrimination but also the class-based exploitation faced by these young women.

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Discrimination comes precisely from understanding who has a voice and whose voice can be taken away, and it targets the weakest.