In South Korea, May is the month for families. May
5th denotes Children's Day while May 8th reflects as Parent's Day.
Originally called Mother's Day, 8th of May is now celebrated as Parent's
Day in South Korea. This was done to make the fathers feel that they are
not alienated. Parents Day, just like Mother's day or Father's Day, is
meant to commemorate the efforts of the parents in building up their
children - physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially. Though
there is no national holiday declared on 8th of May, Parent's Day is
still deemed as one of the special days in South Korea's yearly
calendar.
It is the day when children pay regards to efforts of their parents.
Parents are the epitome of love and affection. They play the role of
providers throughout our lives. It is their constant sacrifices,
selfless nature and unconditional love which formulate us as mature and
responsible individuals. In South Korea, the streets and squares of
Seoul take on a joyful look on Parent's Day. Children, with their bright
smiles, warm the hearts of their parents as well as grandparents. In the
subway, teenagers give up their seats to their elders.
Parent's Day is the day for those people who gave up their wishes to
fulfill ours. Children resort to giving flowers and gifts to their
parents. Carnations and roses are the most picked flowers for the day,
to mark its specialty. Children spend time with their parents, doing
things which their parents love to do. These are the traditional and the
conventional form of paying gratitude to their parents. However, with
the change in time, the way of expressing love and care has even changed
in South Korea too.
The recent times have not only modernized one's thought processes, but
also one's expression of emotions. People in South Korea are now giving
their parents cosmetic surgery as a gift for Parent's Day. Face lifts,
botox treatments and hair transplants, to enhance the look of the
parents and to make them young again, are common resorts by children in
the 21st century. In this fast paced world, a day like this helps us to
realize and thank our parents- our mentor and guide who have made us
what we are today.
