"Get Rid of the TV and Take Away Parents' Phones First"
Corporal Punishment Also Needed to Teach What Is Not Allowed
"Children grow up watching their parents' backs. Lead by example."
Son Woong-jung, the director of SON Football Academy and father of soccer player Son Heung-min (Tottenham), revealed his philosophy on parenting.
In an interview with Yonhap News released on the 7th, Director Son emphasized the importance of parents leading by example above all else. He stressed that removing the TV from the living room and putting away parents' phones as soon as they come home is the first step in home education. The reason is that children imitate their parents' behavior.
Director Son said, "When a child is born, they cannot speak but only watch with their eyes. Everyone grows up watching their parents' backs," and asked, "If parents watch TV and stare at their phone screens, will the children study when told to?" He added, "If you want your child to read books, (parents) should read books or write in the living room."
Director Son expressed his belief that only parents who can control their own desires are qualified to teach their children. He recalled, "Showing children smartphone videos at cafes is ultimately because parents want to be comfortable," and said, "When the kids were young, when we went to restaurants, Heung-min’s mother and I took turns watching the kids outside while eating." He continued, "Parents must be able to endure hunger and discomfort. Children watch and learn all of that."
He also shared his views on the 'medical school craze.' Regarding the extreme preference for medical schools, to the extent that even kindergartens have medical school classes, Director Son said "Crazy..." and was so excited that he could not continue speaking for a while. He then pointed out, "Parents who ignore their child's talents and obsess only over immediate grades, treating their children as 'property,' are ruining them."
He said that Korean society needs to redefine the meaning of success, adding, "Isn't it a happy life to earn 50,000 won doing something you have talent for and enjoy, rather than earning 100,000 won doing something that doesn't suit you?" Director Son expressed pride that both he and Son Heung-min are living 'successful lives,' not because they earn a lot of money, but because they are both doing their 'beloved football' to the best of their ability.
England Premier League (EPL) Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min is celebrating after scoring multiple goals in the 2023-2024 EPL Round 6 away match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in London, UK, on September 24, 2023 (local time). [Photo by Reuters]
Director Son also said he never once told Son Heung-min to play soccer. Instead, he let the Son brothers freely play and travel all over the country, even skipping school without permission. He said, "If children play a lot, see a lot, and experience a lot, any child will find something like, 'Oh, this exists, I want to try this, I can do this well.' For Heung-min, that was soccer."
On the other hand, Director Son was firm about corporal punishment. He has never hidden the fact that he used corporal punishment when coaching Son Heung-min. Because of this, there have been multiple reports to the education office and police.
Director Son said, "The Bible says 'Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.' Jewish people still have fathers who discipline their children physically," and added, "There are cases where corporal punishment is necessary. You have to set the rule that 'No means no' to a child. And you must never compromise on that." He also said that when administering corporal punishment, two prerequisites must be met: a 'clear standard' and 'love.'"
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