The purpose of this article is to theoretically consider parents' educational aspirations within
Korean society. As it is well known, parents' educational aspirations within Korean society is
percieved as extreme in comparison to other developed countries. However, there is a lack of
consideration in regards to this characteristic social phenomena of Korean society from the
perspective of sociological theory. In addition, there are only a few arguments about the
subjective recognition of parents' educational expectations and educational support behavior for
their children's educational achievement.
This article focuses on a sociological theory which is High-modernity by A. Giddens to
explain parents' educational aspirations within Korean society. From this theoretical perspectives,
two explanations are suggested as follows: First, parents' educational aspirations for their
children can be viewed as a significant element of Self-identity as a parent, and this has
particular influence on the Secondary parent-child relationship. In addition, from the perspective
of Self-identity as a parent, parents’ educational support can be viewd as a Addictive behavior.
Second, the experience of the rapid modernization of Korean society increased the subjective
meaning of educational achievement for the individual, it can be understood as the Reflective
interpretation framework of life. Furthermore, Self-identity as a parent and its anxiety related
with children’s education could be increased in the rapid modernization.
This implies that even though the educational aspirations- especially educational expectation
or educational support behavior in Korean society-has been viewed as a type of assumed
condition, it can be understood from viewpoint of sociological theory.