Academic Pressure As The Main Reason For Teenage Suicides In South Korea
Does education cause South Korean children suicide? South Korea’s system of education is considered a world model. South Korea has a very small economy, but it has expanded quickly in the past 70-years. Today, South Korea ranks 12th globally. South Korea’s suicide rate is one of highest in the world. The main cause for this is academic pressure. Why?
Academics are life or death in South Korea. They place a great deal of emphasis on academics, because education is vital to social mobility, power, and symbolism. South Korea’s average high-school student spends around 16 hours each day on academics and related activities. They often have little time for sleep or leisure. They attend hagwons (after-school programs) to help prepare them for the CSAT exam, also called “Suneung”, in order to get into one of the top universities in Korea. Most Koreans believe that getting in to one of those three universities is their best chance at success. They also believe that getting into these universities is the best path to success in life.
Each student is required to complete the CSAT at the end semester. Flights are cancelled on this day to avoid disturbing the test. Assisting students in traffic is another way that police officers assist them. The exam is important and there are many competitors. Some people end up killing themselves because they cannot cope with the immense burden. Accordingly, the stress brought on by school grades or admissions is a major factor in teenage suicide. Statistics Korea shows that the suicide rate is highest among those aged between 10 and 19 years, with 30.9 percent.
The South Korean Government has made several attempts to reduce the number of suicides by easing the college entrance examinations. However, these efforts have not been successful. The trauma caused by students’ mothers is the main cause of student suicide. Due to the intense competition, many students become depressed, leading to suicidal thoughts and attempts.
These suicides are largely due to academic pressure, uncertainty about grades and college admissions and school enrollment. Stress is a common reaction among students preparing to take the CSAT test, which will determine their future. South Korean teenagers are driven to suicide by this tension and the fear of being rejected from prestigious colleges. South Korea’s suicide rates among teenagers are a grave problem.
