Single parents in South Korea
In 2022 there were approximately 1.49 million households in South Korea which were headed by a single parent (that is, approximately 6.5% of populations in the country).[1]
These parents face a number of challenges, primarily economic, but also social. There is some government support for them, although a significant number of parents may not receive these benefits. Laws have been passed over time to provide further support for them.
Statistics
[edit]The number and proportion of single-parent households increased after 2005 for several years, then declined. There were 1.37 million in 2005 (8.6%), 1.594 million in 2010 (9.2%), and 1.639 million in 2011 (9.3%). The proportion then declined to 6.5% in 2022.[1]
Challenges
[edit]Single-parent families cite economic problems as their greatest challenge.[2][3][page needed]
Other challenges include family issues, interpersonal problems, managing child rearing, isolation due to a diminished social life, and dealing with grief if their partner had died.[4][5] In particular, female single-parent families were found to be particularly stressed by these issues.[6] These issues lead to health impacts. There is a high occurrence of depression and low self-esteem, caused in part by social stigmas around single parents.[6] In particular, it has been noted that single mothers will experience more stigma and difficulties than single fathers.[2][7] In 2009, several unwed mothers came today and established the Korean Unwed Mothers’ Families Association KUMFA.[8] KUMFA offers practical and community support to unwed mothers.[9]
The social networks are important for dealing with these issues. However, divorced couples may experience greater difficulty in this area as they lose social connections that were through their spouse.[6]
Government support
[edit]Around 87 percent of single-parent families do not receive any government support.[citation needed][when?] In 2020, the country had the highest poverty rate among single-parents in OECD countries.[10] South Korea's single-parent family support policy is based on the Single-Parent Family Support Act. The Single-Parent Family Support Act was enacted in 1989.[11]
Laws passed in 2011 and 2013 have provided a legal framework for combatting social prejudice and discrimination against single parents. In 2011, a law was passed that allowed the continuance of government support even if their children were aged 18 or older.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Statista.com website, Single-Parent households South Korea 2010-2022, article by L Yoon dated October 12, 2023
- ^ a b Sage Journals website, Unwed single mothers in South Korea: Increased vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, article by S Choi, S Byoun and E H Kim, dated July 23, 2020
- ^ Ki Jung, Kang (2015). "Development and Effectiveness of an Educational Program for Improving Single Mother's Social Adaptation". International Journal of Human Ecology. 43 (9): 15–26.
- ^ Ae-ran, Shin (2002). "Study on actual conditions of life of lone father and mother of the lower income bracket and a scheme of the support". Hannam University.
- ^ Kyungshin, Kim. "Developmental Alternatives and Effective Information Service Systems of Education and Counseling for Single-Parent Families". International Journal of Human Ecology. 41: 73–89.
- ^ a b c Sangdamhak sajŏn = Encyclopedia of counseling. Kim, Ch'un'-gyŏng,, Yi, Su-yŏn,, Yi, Yun-ju,, Chŏng, Chong-jin,, Ch'oe, Ung-yong,, 김 춘경 (1-p'an ed.). Sŏul T'ŭkpyŏlsi. 2016. ISBN 978-89-997-0820-6. OCLC 947753546.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ National Library of Medicine website, The experience of unmarried mothers raising their children in residential facilities: a phenomenological qualitative study, article by Sungjae Kim, Kyung-Sook Bang, Yeseul Jeong, Gumhee Lee, Da-Ae Shin, and Misook Kim, dated July 5, 2022
- ^ Korea Times website, Unwed mothers' charity fights discrimination, adoption agency corruption, article by Rachel Stine dated December 22, 2019
- ^ One In An Army website, March 2021 Campaign Summary
- ^ Yiyoon Chung website, No Good Choices: Concealing or Disclosing Single Motherhood in Korea (2021
- ^ "[인턴액티브] "청소년 미혼모가 전부 아냐"…성인 미혼모 지원 절실". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
- ^ Eunsoog, Hwang (2015). "The Journal of Korea Single Parent Family Institute". Korea Association for Single Parent Family. 8 (1): 1–33.
External links
[edit]KUMFA - Korean Unwed Mothers Families Association official website