For Chinese men, finding a partner has become a precarious struggle as there are approximately 30 million more men than women of 24-40 years old in China. Existing literature provides an insight...Show moreFor Chinese men, finding a partner has become a precarious struggle as there are approximately 30 million more men than women of 24-40 years old in China. Existing literature provides an insight into how this demographic reality affects men with a low social status, but how does China's younger generation of men deal with it? This thesis builds on data derived from interviews with eight male Chinese exchange students in the Netherlands. The data shows how my interviewees are willing to step out of the traditional path towards marriage, but are being held back by the consequences of China's demographic reality. The results should be considered with the limitations of this study, but despite these limitations, my research indicates the importance of researching China’s generation of younger middle to high-class men.Show less
This research aims to make an addition to the current debate regarding the interpretation of North Korean defector memoirs by answering the question: “What understanding can trauma theory provide...Show moreThis research aims to make an addition to the current debate regarding the interpretation of North Korean defector memoirs by answering the question: “What understanding can trauma theory provide us concerning North Korean defector memoirs?” It discusses trauma theory, Holocaust memoirs, and North Korean defector memoirs. Regarding North Korean defector memoirs the study focuses on four memoirs specifically: Eunsun Kim’s A Thousand Miles to Freedom, Yeonmi Park’s In Order to Live, Hyeonseo Lee’s The Girl with Seven Names, and Joseph Kim’s Under the Same Sky.Show less
South Korean women face structural challenges when participating in the labour force. As of today, female labour participation is at its highest point in recorded history, yet gender inequality...Show moreSouth Korean women face structural challenges when participating in the labour force. As of today, female labour participation is at its highest point in recorded history, yet gender inequality causes persistent disadvantages for women regarding opportunities and decision-making power. Building on existing work, this study aims to determine the structural challenges that contribute to an unequal position in the work environment for South Korean women. It includes a research survey among 55 South Korean working women who share their experiences and offers a new perspective to the current scholarly work written on the topic of gender (in)equality in the South Korean work environment.Show less
