[EDITORIALS]3 Proposals for a Happier Chuseok

"No more, no less, just like the full moon of Chuseok." Most of us feel rich every year around this time of Chuseok and harvest. But for some the season brings days of agony. According to a poll by Gallup Korea, roughly half of male respondents are unhappy about Chuseok because of the economic burden it causes, and half of female respondents resent the burden of housework and cooking. Such a mood is especially apparent among people in their 30s to 50s.

In origin, Chuseok is for giving thanks for this year's harvest and for the care given by our ancestors. In modern Korea, however, it has become a day for sharing things together. Family members who no longer know the joy of living together return to the family nest. We live in a society where people become estranged through living apart even though they are blood relatives. Chuseok is an opportunity for the members of a big family to get together to share food and love. That is why all of us, whether old parents in home towns or small children, wait for the precious Chuseok year after year.

We propose two things to make Chuseok happier for all generations. First, husbands and wives should do housework and rest together. Let them go to the market, prepare dishes, have a ceremony to thank their ancestors, and eat － together. Second, we should get rid of the prejudice that only the first son in the family should prepare and serve on Chuseok and other holidays. Sons should take turns in presiding over holiday preparations according to their convenience and economic situations, so that they can share the economic and preparation burdens.

In addition we propose that you share the happiness of Chuseok with your neighbors, such as underage family breadwinners who may not know what food should be eaten, homeless people, old people living by themselves without relatives to visit them, illegal aliens and North Korean defectors. They will definitely need your hospitality. Let's share whatever we have with those who might feel lonely on Chuseok.