Child Psychiatrist Oh Eun Young Speaks Out After Being Blamed For The Recent Suicide Death Of Korean Elementary School Teacher

After the unfortunate death of an elementary school teacher in Seocho, the issue of the violation of education authority has become a hot topic, and some are pointing fingers at Dr. Oh Eun Young. Eventually, the doctor spoke out.

On July 18, a first-grade homeroom teacher took her own life in her classroom. It was reported that the rookie teacher was burdened with school violence complaints from parents, bringing light to education authority issues.

Many blamed the teachings in Channel A‘s My Golden Kid, a television show where child psychiatry specialist Oh Eun Young observes children—usually ones that are rebellious, acting out, or acting unusual—and advises parents on how to raise their children. After the shocking news of the elementary school teacher, people started pointing fingers at Dr. Oh Eun Young for creating an illusion of improving problematic children. The doctor was against parents hitting their children as a discipline, and many claimed that her “non-punitive discipline” was a cause of the decline in educational authority.

On June 25, Dr. Oh Eun Young did an exclusive interview with TenAsia and addressed this criticism. First, she expressed how saddened she was by the unfortunate news and shared that parents and teachers must work together for the well-being of children.

Teachers and parents are not opposing forces. It’s about having a cooperative relationship to discuss and work together for the well-being of the child. I have always emphasized this, and I am deeply saddened by the recent unfortunate incident. I understand the weight on my shoulders in addressing these issues.

— Oh Eun Young

Dr. Oh Eun Young also clarified that My Golden Kid was about suggesting a direction or giving guidance on how to raise children—it was not therapy.

My Golden Kid is not a program for human modification. It’s not about showing how a child has changed from one state to another. Rather, it is a program where parents, who have lost their way in parenting, open share their problems, discuss the root causes, and talk about the direction of future parenting. It’s about helping parents take the first step towards effort… On My Golden Kid, I always advice parents to seek professional help if medication is necessary or I advise them to continue meeting with specialists if they already are… I remind them that improvements won’t happen overnight, but they should not lose hope and keep persevering. I have never claimed that a child will miraculously change after one or two meetings; I don’t believe in such possibilities. My Golden Kid is a program that suggests directions, not a show that labels outcomes as successes or failures.

— Oh Eun Young

She then addressed the people accusing her of planting “wrong ideas” in parents’ minds for emphasizing the importance of non-violent discipline. Some people believed this was one of the reasons for the decline of parental authority, which eventually led to the tragedy concerning the elementary school teacher. Dr. Oh Eun Young responded that she has always stressed the importance of discipline—but one without hitting the child.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of the teacher’s life in the recent tragic incident. However, it pains me to hear some people’s logic that the decline in parental authority is due to not physically disciplining children… When children misbehave, parents should guide them. But until then, many parents resorted to hitting their children. I’m not saying not to discipline them; I’m just saying not to hit them. I have always stressed the importance of discipline throughout my career.

— Oh Eun Young

When asked if she still opposes physical punishment, Dr. Oh Eun Young shared that discipline can be done without hitting because the pain remains a fear in children’s memories.

Nowadays, physical punishment is widespread, and I oppose hitting and physical violence. You can discipline without resorting to hitting. Being firm and clear in your words is enough. You shouldn’t think that you can discipline your child only by hitting him… Beating people with a rod and bringing them to their knees is violence. Violence cannot be justified by anyone. People shouldn’t hit people. I was heartbroken to see that people were spreading stories that they needed to hit their children in the wake of this incident. It worried me seeing the reactions that they feel a need to hit kids again and give teachers rods for hitting students. That’s not what teachers want now.

— Oh Eun Young

| Channel A

Dr. Oh Eun Young explained how one could discipline a child without physical punishment but with words instead.

Not hitting doesn’t mean that you spoil the child. Discipline is about guiding with authority and control, clearly teaching what should never be done. It sets limits. You shouldn’t say it in a question or as a request. In the past, hitting was believed to make children listen. However, physical fear only remains as fear in their memories. Later on, they might not even remember what they did wrong and might try to compensate for their wrongdoings. They might also resort to hitting others when they face difficulties themselves. Reacting quickly is not a good approach. It’s not about avoiding teaching right from wrong. It’s not about raising an obedient child. You shouldn’t hit others—that’s what it’s about.

— Oh Eun Young

Lastly, she shared some final words emphasizing the importance of a non-physical form of discipline and asked the people blaming her to stop criticizing her based on misunderstandings.

I firmly believe that we should not return to a time when problems were resolved through violence. Everyone who appeared on My Golden Kid comes out with sincerity about parenting. They continue to work hard even after the show. I am worried that this incident will misrepresent the sincerity of parents who want to raise their children well. I sincerely ask you to stop the arrows of criticism based on misunderstandings about the cast members who have come out and will come out.

— Oh Eun Young