ERIC Number: EJ1411228
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0897-5264
EISSN: EISSN-1543-3382
Available Date: N/A
"We Can Change Our Society": Korean College Student Activists' Motivations, Experiences, and Perceptions
Jessie Jungeun Hong-Dwyer
Journal of College Student Development, v64 n4 p470-484 2023
Student activism plays an important role in student development, so understanding student activists' thoughts, identifying challenges they have encountered, and figuring out ways to support their activities are critical for higher education institutions. A group of college students in Korea has established a student organization actively engaging in varying ways to address the Japanese military sexual slavery (so-called "comfort women") issue. This study examined the motivations, experiences, and perceptions of Korean college students actively participating in this work. Using a case study research design, in-depth, open-ended, semi-structured interviews with 10 organization members were collected and analyzed thematically. Relevant documents showing their various activities were also collected as supplementary data for better understanding of the context. Participants' desire for engagement, the benefits they gained from the KorPeaceWomen activities (i.e., personal growth, sense of solidarity, and awareness of other issues), and overcoming challenges show their development. However, it is necessary to consider the cultural, historical, social, and political contexts in Korea to fully understand their challenges and concerns as student activists. The findings may help us understand student activists' motives, concerns, and needs and explore their engagement as a form of development.
Descriptors: College Students, Student Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Activism, Student Organizations, Females, Peace, Student Participation, Student Motivation, Student Experience, Barriers, Sexuality, Slavery, Military Personnel, Social Problems
Johns Hopkins University Press. 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Tel: 800-548-1784; Tel: 410-516-6987; Fax: 410-516-6968; e-mail: jlorder@jhupress.jhu.edu; Web site: https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/list
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea; Japan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A