Attitudes of Korean housewives towards nutrition and daily meals

Jeong-Ok Rho, Jeonbuk - Südkorea, Ingrid Ute Leonhäuser, Gießen

The attitude of Korean housewifes towards nutrition and management of daily meals are presented in the light of whether they are gainfully employed or not. 299 housewives were interviewed by means of standardized questionnaires.

35.7 % of the women were not gainfully employed, while 64.3 % had part-time or full-time jobs. To 52.8 % of the women, independent of their employment, a balanced meal is a good meal. Further essential criteria are “nutrients” and “taste” of the food. To about one third of the women, “food quantities consumed” and “washing of one’s hands” are important. Only 15.7 % off the women make sure Korean table manners are observed. Most of the women buy their food in supermarkets, only 15 % in traditional markets.

Important sources of information relating to food purchasing are TV and radio advertisements , family and friends (26.3 %), and, for women on a full-time job, the internet (16 %). More than two thirds of the women prepare every meal by themselves. In 40 % of all cases husbands take influence on the choice of menus. 42.5 % of the women use the home service of caterers. This, however, applies much more frequently to women on a full-time job than to families with mothers not gainfully employed.

The results have shown that for Korean housewives, a balanced diet is of great importance for the health of their families. Home-made food still plays an essential part. But the use of convenience products is increasing, as meal management is predominantly the business of women no matter whether they are on a part-time or full-time job which to most of them means stress in terms of less free time remaining for family and household.

Keywords: Gainful employment, housewives, preparation of meals, purchasing behaviour, table manners.

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