‘I’d Rather Have Two 25-Year-Old Husbands’ – The Korea Times

Analysis of Early 20th Century Korean Social Norms through Humor: A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

Introduction and Historical Context

This report analyzes two jokes from the 1916 Korean publication “Kkalkkal Useum” to examine societal debates on marriage during the 1910s. This period was marked by significant intellectual discourse on marital norms, particularly the condemnation of early marriage and the conflict between arranged and free-choice unions. These historical discussions represent an early engagement with principles now formalized in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those concerning gender equality and social justice.

The critique of “early marriage” during this era directly aligns with the objectives of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), specifically Target 5.3, which aims to eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage. The humor analyzed serves as a cultural artifact reflecting a societal shift toward recognizing individual agency and challenging established patriarchal structures.

Case Study Analysis: Marital Age Gaps and Gender Dynamics

The selected jokes utilize humor to explore and subvert traditional power dynamics within marriages characterized by significant age differences. They provide a platform for expressing dissent against prevailing norms, contributing to a broader dialogue on equitable relationships.

1. Case 1: “I’d Rather Have Two 25-Year-Old Husbands”

   In this narrative, a father suggests his daughter marry a 50-year-old man, valuing age and experience over the daughter’s potential desires. The daughter rejects this proposition, stating a preference for “two 25-year-old husbands.” This response is a powerful assertion of female agency and the right to self-determination in marital choices, a cornerstone of SDG 5. It humorously critiques a system that prioritizes patriarchal values over a woman’s personal choice and well-being.

2. Case 2: “Should I Pick the Big Squash? Or the Small One?”

   This joke depicts a marriage between a young boy and an older woman. The wife physically overpowers her young husband when he attempts to assert authority. When his parents return, the husband protects his wife from criticism by pretending he was on the roof to pick a squash at her request. This narrative subverts the conventional patriarchal hierarchy, challenging rigid gender roles and promoting a vision of partnership based on mutual protection rather than subordination. This aligns with the goals of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by satirizing and deconstructing age and gender-based power imbalances within the family unit.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The social commentary embedded within these jokes demonstrates a clear alignment with several key SDGs. The narratives function as historical evidence of a cultural movement towards the principles of equality and justice.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The jokes directly challenge patriarchal authority, advocate for female agency in life-altering decisions like marriage, and critique gender-based power imbalances. They empower female characters to voice their desires and subvert expectations of submission, thereby promoting the fundamental goal of gender equality.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By focusing on conflicts arising from age and gender disparities, the humor critiques the inherent inequalities within traditional family structures. The resolution of the second joke, where the husband sides with his wife, suggests a rebalancing of power and a move towards a more equitable relationship.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The underlying debate on reforming marriage customs reflects an societal effort to build more just and equitable social institutions. The condemnation of early marriage, a theme from the era, is a direct precursor to modern efforts to protect children’s rights and end exploitation, as outlined in Target 16.2.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal is central to the article, which discusses historical debates in 1910s Korea regarding marriage. The text explores themes of early marriage, the lack of female agency in choosing a partner (“debate about whether marriage should be arranged by families or be a free choice”), and the subversion of traditional gender roles where a husband has authority over his wife. The daughter’s joke is presented as a way for her to “express her own agency and desires,” directly linking to the empowerment of women and girls.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is relevant through its focus on promoting non-discriminatory laws and policies. The article describes a societal context where harmful and discriminatory social norms, such as early and arranged marriages, were common. The intellectual debates mentioned (“Korean intellectuals were actively discussing questions about what marriage should be”) represent an early societal push towards reforming these norms, which is a precursor to establishing just and non-discriminatory institutional frameworks.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage.

   The article directly addresses this target by mentioning the condemnation of “early marriage” as “harmful and immoral.” It also notes that “in Joseon-era Korea it was common for people to marry in their early teens,” highlighting the prevalence of the very practice this target aims to eliminate.

2. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

   The societal norms described, such as arranged marriages where a daughter’s preference is secondary to her father’s (“A man said to his daughter…Wouldn’t it be better to choose an appropriate gentleman…even if he’s 50 years old?”), represent a form of gender-based discrimination. The jokes in the article serve as a commentary on and a subversion of these discriminatory practices.

3. Target 16.B: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

   The article provides a historical snapshot of a society where discriminatory social norms regarding marriage were prevalent and not yet codified into non-discriminatory laws. The “debate about whether marriage should be arranged by families or be a free choice” is a direct reflection of a society grappling with the principles that would later inform non-discriminatory policies related to marriage and personal freedom.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.3: Proportion of the population married before the age of 18.

  While no specific data is provided, the article implies a high historical rate of early marriage by stating it was “common for people to marry in their early teens.” This establishes a baseline condition that the official SDG indicator (5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 18) is designed to measure.

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.1 & 16.B: Prevalence of arranged marriages versus marriages based on free and full consent.

  The article highlights the “debate about whether marriage should be arranged by families or be a free choice between individuals.” This points to the societal value placed on individual agency and consent in marriage. A measure of the prevalence of arranged marriages would serve as an indicator of progress towards ending discriminatory practices and establishing policies based on free choice.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: koreatimes.co.kr