According to the Stanford School of Medicine’s assessment of Korean-American elders,
“Korean culture is strongly influenced by Buddhism and the philosophy of Confucianism. Modesty is an important virtue especially for women in Confucianism, which may…be difficult to illicit intimate details such as bodily functions and sexual history when the health care provider interviews the female patient.”
This explanation of the Korean culture is well-described and shows how conservative Koreans can be. Talks of sex and related subjects are almost prohibited among elders and even the younger generations are careful when they talk about these issues. Yet exclusion of these subjects can be inconvenient when it comes to health care. It is important for patients to reveal sexual histories and other necessary information in order to receive the right treatment and medicine. By hiding or simply refusing to share certain details about their medical records can be not only disadvantageous but also dangerous in more extreme ends. These situations can also apply to homosexual individuals, who are not fully accepted in the Korean community. While preserving traditions and upholding certain beliefs are important, it is also vital for Korean and Korean-American elders to be open to such discussions and understand the importance of providing the care providers with the right information.
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