As South Korea’s birth rate continues to decline, the government announced in March 2023 that it would prioritize low birthrate measures as a crucial national agenda. The measures implemented so far have predominantly focused on providing financial assistance. However, the decision of the younger generation not to have children stems not only from economic burdens. The societal and cultural psychological factors that create challenges in bearing and raising children also play a significant role in influencing the decision to opt out of childbirth. ChosunBiz aims to extensively explore the previously overlooked reasons behind the low birth rate. [Editor’s note]
A Pew Research Center survey in 2021 revealed a perception unique to South Koreans: in a survey involving 18,850 adults from 17 countries, only South Koreans identified “material well-being” as what they value most in life. In contrast to the 14 countries where “family” was the primary value, South Koreans placed the highest importance on “material well-being” (19%), followed by health (17%) and family (16%).
This unique emphasis appears to shape South Korea’s strategy in addressing its plummeting birth rate. South Korea’s efforts to combat low fertility rates - which fell to an all-time low of 0.78 in 2022 - are often translated into policies that focus on monetary incentives, such as providing public housing to parents with newborns, offering free rent for families with two children, and granting financial support of $745 (1 million won) per month to new parents. But even with more financial incentives, the nation’s birth rate has continued its downward spiral.
But this doesn’t mean that Koreans do not value family, says cultural psychologist Han Min. “Given that parenting shows like “The Return of Superman” is popular in Korea, there is definitely a desire to see children,” he said in a recent interview with ChosunBiz.
Han pointed out that the perceived high cost of raising a child is the main reason for low birth rates. “Many Koreans aspire to send their children to medical school so they can become doctors, but the cost of education in those cases is huge,” Han said. He noted that this emphasis on raising a child a certain way hinders the possibility of having children and called for a shift in mindset, urging parents to “let go of such predispositions.”
What are the reasons for South Korea’s record low birth rate?
“Economic factors contribute to low birth rates, but that doesn’t explain everything. There are deeper psychological elements at play. One is a shift in attitude: people have come to view marriage and childbearing as optional. This trend is not unique to South Korea but is notably pronounced here.
Another is rooted in Korea’s complex modern history. The country has endured turbulent and tragic events, including Japanese occupation, the Korean War, the Cold War, authoritarian governments, and the 1997 Asian financial crisis. There were long periods when marriages were not always good.
Over time, the traditional roles of fathers and mothers have also changed. In the 1950s and 1960s, women’s roles were confined to the home as they were told, “Why does a woman need education?” and “When you get married, you should focus on making the house.” The mother’s frustration was not lost on her children. That doesn’t mean men had it easy, either. Many families lost their fathers in war or suffered financial ruin during the financial crisis. This cast a shadow over the prospect of starting a family and raising children.”
But haven’t we all thought of starting a family at least once in our lives?
“The desire to start a family and raise children who look like us is natural. This innate human desire is rooted in biology. When we hug a lover, spouse, or our own children, our bodies release oxytocin, a hormone associated with feelings of bonding, love, and happiness. Even though fertility rates have fallen dramatically, parenting shows like “The Return of Superman” are still popular. We call ourselves “online aunties” and “online uncles,” which indicate interest in children.
It’s tempting to think that people can focus solely on their careers and social life, and there are certain stages in life where this is appropriate. But this approach might lead to regrets in the long run. I think in a generation or so, we’ll see a reversal in trends. I don’t think fertility rates are going to keep falling like they are now.”
Besides people experiencing the joy of raising children, fewer people are interested in marriage these days, making it more challenging to form attachments.
“Sometimes people delay their marriage until they have the right conditions, such as having a job and being able to afford a place to live together, even if they do not immediately buy a house. Marrying at a young age often means that they receive help from their parents.
The reason why people nowadays don’t get married much could also be due to a desire to enjoy life a bit more. Once married and with children, life inevitably changes. Many people want to establish their careers and have a stable life path before committing to marriage and children.”
In S. Korea, one of the major issues faced by women is the disruption to their careers during childbirth and child-rearing. Balancing work and family often becomes a struggle, which leads many women to prioritize their careers over having children. It is necessary to address this issue in order to bring about positive changes in the nation.
“I think most people would agree that it’s best for parents to raise their own children. However, parents who work may need to leave their children in the care of others. This can lead to a lack of quality family time, such as not being able to go out for dinner together due to early mornings and late nights at work, as well as social commitments.
For this reason, parents often have to leave their children at daycare. However, it is common for parents to feel uncomfortable with their choices. When parents arrive late to pick up their children, it can be distressing for both the parents and the children.
The children often gather together in the daycare center, eagerly waiting for their parents to come pick them up. Any delay in picking up a child can result in the child becoming visibly upset, which is hard for any parent to witness. Asking grandparents to take on childcare can also be challenging for them. The current situation in Korea has made it difficult for families to focus on each other and plan for the future.”
How should things change?
“In Korean culture, there is an idiom that says, ‘to pick mulberries, you must first see the tree.’ However, in the current situation, there is no time to even look at the tree.
The government is trying to increase work hours, but this policy might worsen the low birthrate issue. Many workplaces abroad have daycares, allowing mothers to bring and pick up their children when going to work. Unfortunately, this is rare in Korea. Establishing daycares in industrial complexes or office blocks could be beneficial. I believe that changes in the Korean government’s thinking can transform the nation’s systems and culture.”
That means, the culture in S. Korea needs to change to boost the birth rate, but isn’t material prosperity considered an important value in Korean life?
“Many people desire material prosperity because they love their family and want to provide them with a prosperous life. In Korea, there have been periods of extreme poverty, which have caused many families to suffer due to material issues. Therefore, it is believed by many that material prosperity is necessary for a happy family.
Some people may feel that they love their children so much that they are afraid they won’t be able to provide for them as well as they want to. They may question whether they should have children at all if they can’t raise them the way they want to. Also, many believe that no matter how much money is spent on education or other things for their children, it will never be enough.
However, the belief that raising a child is expensive can vary depending on one’s mindset. In Korea, there is a tendency to set very high standards for how much to invest in a child’s education. If parents decide that their child must attend a prestigious university or become a doctor, the cost of education can be enormous.
That’s why it is important for parents to realize the truth about their child’s academic performance. Parents usually have a sense of how well their child performs academically, and it is important for them to learn to let go of some of these expectations. Ultimately, it is the parents who need to change their mindset and adjust their expectations.”
In Daechi-dong, one of the wealthy neighborhoods in Korea, even elementary school students are being prepared for medical school entrance exams. Parents are sending their children to academies because of peer pressure and are anxious about it.
“Raising children in such a way is psychologically concerning for the children as well. The trend of elementary students preparing for medical school seems to be a misconception among parents. There will undoubtedly be negative consequences.
“People should not seek reasons from others to find the purpose of their life. Nowadays, many parents tend to look for life’s purpose from external sources, thinking, ‘That’s how we should live, that’s what we should provide for our child.’
When they see others sending their kids to expensive academies or dining in high-end restaurants, they should think, ‘That’s interesting, looks nice,’ instead of feeling sorry for not being able to do the same for their child. Feeling sorry to the extent of not having children because of this is not advisable.”
