Early Years
Jang Yeong-sil's birth is recorded only in the genealogy of the Jang family and in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. According to these records, his father, Jang Seong-hwi, was the 8th generation of the Jang family who came from China. Jang Seong-hwi was the 3rd of 5 brothers and all of the brothers previously were ministers of Goryeo. There are many historical records about his elder brother, Jang Seong-bal, who was born in 1344 and his grave located at Ui-seong in the province of Gyeongbuk. The Annals state that his mother was a gwangi (gisaeng), thereby their (Yeong-sil's and their mother) social status was a gwanno, (a servant in civil service district courts). Yeong-sil's talent was so excellent that he was sent to the royal court. From above, we may infer that Yeong-sil was born in a family of high official status but when General Yi Song-gye unleashed a coup d'état, which gave rise to the Joseon Dynasty, Jang Seong-hwi became a political prisoner and Yeong-sil and his mother became gwannos.
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“Even today . . . experts, usually male, tell women how to be mothers and warn them that they should not have children if they have any intention of leaving their side in their early years. . . . Children don’t need parents’ full-time attendance or attention at any stage of their development. Many people will help take care of their needs, depending on who their parents are and how they chose to fulfill their roles.”
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