Research Matters

Social work researcher explores how Confucianism oppresses women

Growing up in a region of the world that’s steeped in the ancient traditions of Confucianism, Sung Hyun Yun never gave it a second thought when his mother explained to him that he didn’t need to be in the kitchen helping with the dishes because he was a boy.

“It was very natural to accept gender-based norms and behaviour,” said Dr. Yun, a professor in the School of Social Work, who was born and raised in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city.