Korean J Child Health Nurs.  2006 Jan;12(1):65-74.

A Comparison of Korean Traditional Child-rearing Practices between Generations of Young Mothers and Grandmothers

• Han SH
• Kwon IS
• Lee SY

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in Korean child-rearing practices between the generations of young mothers and grandmothers. METHOD: The participants were 98 mothers who were 20 to 39 years old and had raised one-year-old child and 103 grandmothers who were over 60 years old and had raised their children in a small city. Data were collected through self-report questionnaire based on the Korean traditional child-rearing practice from Yoo(1986). The data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 10.0 program.
RESULTS
Of 37 items in the categories of feeding and weaning, health management and taboo matters, play, and baby celebrations, the grandmothers practiced 13 items (35%) more frequently than the young mothers. However, no generation differences were found in 21 items (57%), and 3 items were practiced more frequently by the young mothers. For the young mothers, there were 15 items (41%) which were practiced over 70%, 7 items (19%) which were practiced less than 30%.
CONCLUSION
It seems that some Korean traditional child-rearing practices were transferred to modern child-rearing practices. Therefore pediatric nurses need to pay attention to traditional child-rearing practices for the best health, growth and development of children.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Child
Family Characteristics*
Growth and Development
Humans
Middle Aged
Mothers*
Taboo
Weaning
Child Health
Surveys and Questionnaires