Spoon class theory

The spoon class theory (Korean: 수저 계급론) refers to the idea that individuals in a country can be classified into different socioeconomic classes based on the assets and income level of their parents, and as a consequence, one's success in life depends entirely on being born into a wealthy family. The term appeared in 2015 and was first widely used among online communities in South Korea.^[1]

The term is based on the English idiom "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth". In the past, European nobility often used silver dishes, and children were fed by nannies using silver spoons, which indicated the wealth of the family. In South Korea, this idea was taken further to establish several categories to classify individuals based on their family's wealth. Unlike the western idiom which simply denotes those "born with a silver spoon", Korean usage divides society into those born with a variety of spoons ranging from clay, bronze, silver, gold, and even platinum based on their parents' economic status.^[2] Those from low-income backgrounds are described as "dirt spoons".^[3]

Spoon class theory began widely appearing among online communities in South Korea in 2015.^[1]

In 2019, Justice Minister Cho Kuk was engulfed in a corruption scandal after revelations that he and his wife had falsified documents for his children's college applications. The scandal resulted in his resignation after acknowledging being a "gold spoon" and led then-president Moon Jae-in to apologize.^[3] At the time, The New York Times reported:

The scandal has exploded into the biggest embarrassment of Mr. Moon’s presidency as he has struggled with an ailing economy and a lack of opportunity for many young people. It has particularly fueled outrage about the “gold spoon” children of the elite, who glide into top-flight universities and cushy jobs, leaving their “dirt spoon” peers to struggle in South Korea’s hobbled economy.^[4]

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Hyo Chan Cho states that the gold spoon "is related to Jean Baudrillard's simulacrum". He suggested that the gold spoon is included in a simulacrum that does not have an origin. Issues of gold spoon celebrities and commercials which made those people idealize changed nonexistence as existence. Regardless of the pros and cons of a gold spoon, it became an important image of their life. He further stated that as society accepted images like gold spoon which became a hyperreality. We accept media's reproducing images that do not have originals as more than an existence. 'Simulacrum' means an image without substance, it wields strong influence than an existence.^[5]

Young adults preparing for significant life changes, such as college, marriage or employment are concerned they are at a disadvantage.^{[according to whom?]} For example, many corporations in Korea require stellar academic performance and English fluency. Young upper class individuals can advance themselves given the money and power their parents or family possess, while those from the middle and lower classes are seen as disadvantaged as they are expected to be working students, and lack the same monetary support. This economic polarization not only influences employment, but also affects other prospects like marriage. The causes of inequality in this society are economic and the fact that poverty is passed from generation to generation. This inequality is creating new classes in Korean society. However, some people overcome their parent's low economic class. Some people who were raised in wealthy families criticize this as well. Unfairness in Korean society is becoming a burden for young adults and is making the Korean society similar to the one described in the spoon class theory.^[6]

Park Jae-wan, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University analyzed spoon class theory in research on social mobility. "The distribution of income in Korea is close to that of advanced countries, considering Gini coefficient, relative income share, income share, and relative poverty rate." "The basis of 'Helos' or 'gold spoon' claims is weak".^[7] According to the results of estimating the probability that each income group will remain in the same class for the whole household from 2011 to 12, it is 29.8 per cent for low income class, 38.2 per cent for middle class and 32.0 per cent for high income class. Park suggested, "As the results of the analysis, Korea is still highly likely to move." However, the pace of stratification has been slowing since the financial crisis^{[clarification needed]}, mainly because the poverty has been fixed, particularly among the elderly.^[7] " He cited the following five causes of Spoon class theory. 1. Youth unemployment 2. Reinforced pass down^{[clarification needed]} 3. Government regulation and vested interest 4. Relative tendency and relative deprivation of Koreans^{[clarification needed]} 5. Bad social capital.^[7]

Han Jun, professor of sociology at Yeonsei University said, "Raising the possibility of social mobility is also an important task in terms of social vitality and social integration." It requires policy efforts to care for the physical and mental health of low-income vulnerable children, academic aspirations, and cognitive abilities, Emphasis should be given to schools in low-income vulnerable groups and rural areas. "^[7]

Lee Byeong-hoon, professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, said, "Negative and critical perceptions of opportunistic inequality in our society seem to be influenced by factors such as hierarchy status and experience of discrimination." According to the analysis, the subject and parental generations have low subjective status, experience of discrimination and disadvantages, and younger and higher educated people have higher negative and critical perception of opportunity inequality. In addition, the perception of socioeconomic opportunity inequality, the severity of inequality in opportunity, and the negative perception of effort achievement were found to be higher in the order of lower income class, middle class, and higher income class.^[7]

• Hell Joseon
• Lottery of birth
• Sampo generation
• Economic inequality in South Korea
• Poverty in South Korea

• ""It Is Fortunate That I Wasn't Born as a Korean," Ex-Japanese Envoy to Seoul Says in Column - Masatoshi Muto Stirs Controversy in South Korea". The Seoul Times.