Page 60 - PowerE-L05-C

Lesson 15

Ajumma

Nowhere in the world is the housewife or the homemaker

more misunderstood than in Korea. The housewife is affection-
ately and humorously called the ‘Ajumma’. Many Koreans talk

about the Ajumma with a trace of derision, yet with a grudging
admiration. People talk about the Ajumma with mixed feeling:

perplexity and love, misunderstanding and faith. So although

people are puzzled by her, we Koreans love her intensely. It’s because the Ajummas are
our mothers and our sisters. The Ajumma is deemed powerful in Korea; it’s ironical because

Ajumma is living in the patriarchal nature of Korean societies. She has her own way of han-
dling the situations. She could be sometimes stubborn and old-fashioned, but sometimes

can be open minded and modern. In the subways, most people concede their seats to her
although she may obtain those seats rudely. While the Ajumma is the protector of tradition,

she is also a powerful agent of social change. She is strong in her faith and tireless in her
efforts. Though it’s true that she can be at times aggressive and competitive, she does so

because she deeply loves her children. She wants nothing but the best for her children. In
the family, she is the adviser, the financier, the strategist. She is devoted to her kids as a

mom, and obedient to her husband as a wife. The Ajumma may be the object of stereotypes

and a source of great puzzlement to Koreans, but without her, where would Korea be?

Comprehension

1. What characteristics does the Ajumma have in Korea?
2. What is the most important thing to Ajumma?

Questions

1. What do you think of the Ajumma?
2. Do you think every housewife is the Ajumma? Why or why not?
3. Do you think the Ajumma exists only in Korea? Why or why not?

4. What do you think is the most outstanding characteristic of the Ajumma?

Vocabulary & Expressions
derision : remarks that show you think someone or something is stupid or silly
grudging : done or given very unwillingly
perplexity : the feeling or being confused or worried by something you cannot understand
deem : to think of something in a particular way
patriarchal : ruled or controlled only by men
concede : to admit that something is true or correct although you wish it was not true
obedient : always doing what you are told to do by your parents by someone in authority

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