Single parents in South Korea

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As of 2011,[needs update] roughly 9.3% of households in South Korea have one parent. 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 has increased over time. There were 1.37 million in 2005, 1.594 million in 2010, and 1.639 million in 2011. The shares were 8.6% in 2005, 9.2% in 2010, and 9.3% in 2011.[1][needs update]

Challenges[edit]

Single-parent families cite economic problems as their greatest challenge.[2][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.[3][4] In particular, female single-parent families were found to be particularly stressed by these issues.[5] 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.[5]

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.[5]

Government support[edit]

Around 87 percent of single-parent families do not receive any government support.[citation needed][when?] 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.[6]

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.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "통계청". kostat.go.kr. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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)
  6. ^ "[인턴액티브] "청소년 미혼모가 전부 아냐"…성인 미혼모 지원 절실". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  7. ^ Eunsoog, Hwang (2015). "The Journal of Korea Single Parent Family Institute". Korea Association for Single Parent Family. 8 (1): 1–33.
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