The fact that his parents were math and literature professors who entertained him dropping out of school to write poetry. If I had done that my parents would have offered me exactly three choices, get a job, go back to school, or pack your bags and pay your own rent which would have forced me to get a job, understandably so because as working class people they didn't have the resources to sponsor me for another decade while I go soul searching
Yes it is not a wealthy family, but in terms of education for children, having parents already in academia is just as good of a privilege as wealthy parents.
What does your definition of privilege mean? Bemoaning parents who supported their children in the combination of the parents interests does not seem like an egregious sin.
The person you're responding to didn't imply that privilege is a "sin". Not sure how you're interpreting that.
Sinply put, most working class parents simply don't have the financial respurces to support an older child's artistic pursuits. It is a privilege, i.e., an _advantage_, to have those means and werewithal to do so.
There are plenty of working class parents who support an older child who lives at home. The difference is the child is not pursuing anything, so most parents would not want that for their child and would want him to get a job or something.
My point being that it’s not about finances, it’s not that much more difficult for most working class families to support an extra mouth to feed, especially when it’s an adult. It’s more about the difference in perspective and future financial stability.
Exactly this!! US has a very lone-wolf culture. In India, it is perfectly normal for an adult to live with parents and I am assuming SK is similar. The money aspect is overblown a lot.
While typing it, I realized it is actually more expensive in US than just a mouth to feed. Medical insurance, car insurance, car payments (you need a car), all add up to much more.
The US Health Insurance system is specifically used to keep working class people (and most middle class) at work. You can't really go without a job here.
Well Medicaid is free and for a car, you can get and old one for $2000 and pay <$50 a month for car insurance. Food costs more than that monthly, so it’s not a huge burden even for working class people.
If you are staying with your parents, I do not think Medicaid covers you. I do not see where you get < $50 for car insurance when you are under 26. Assuming a family like June Huh, they are much more likely to live in urban areas which does not fit into your cost model.
If under 26, you can get your parents’ work insurance, usually not a big increase, otherwise, you can just get crappy insurance for cheap. If urban area, you don’t need a car.
Are you talking about his family specifically, or South Korea in general? What makes it extremely strong or privileged?