Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Baby blues hit Korea
Choi Eun-hee's day starts before dawn with a feverish rush to get her 17-month-old son ready to drop off at her parents before she commutes to work in Seoul.

"Korea is probably the worst country to raise a child in," said Choi, 29.

South Korea's birth rate in 2002 plunged to the lowest in the world with women having an average of 1.17 children, according to the National Statistical Office. In Japan the rate is 1.33, the United States 2.13 and Britain 1.64.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced in January it would bear all daycare expenses for children until they turn six but then last month abruptly scrapped the plan, citing strong opposition from preschools, which were to be excluded from the benefit. The government also does little to help those who wish to have a baby but unable to conceive, others said. None of the tests and infertility treatments are covered by insurance.
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/03/08/200403080078.asp

Is Korea the worst country to raise a child in?

*thread title edited for accuracy by Lemon: 6:40pm Mar 11*

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

Good question. I wouldn't like to raise any children in Korea but I'm only speaking for myself. My experience and view of Australia means that rather than Korea being a bad place to raise children out of its own demerits, Australia is a better place to raise them.

So out of the options available to me, Korea simply doesn't make the cut.

I don't think it's THAT bad.. :)

jae.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I don't fully agree with the Op statement as well.

The problem is that there is so much pressure on the children here to do well in school and all evaluations are test score based and ranked. If you haven't made the rank or cut then for your life you have no chance(or so the saying goes).

I think people in this country or waking up to the fact that the education system here is in a shambles. I can't see much change in the future as it takes strong leadership from the top down to implement proper and effective change in any areas.

No offence to Koreans but the current government(and the opposition) are a joke. I wouldn't vote for neither of them as i have found both to be corrupt, full of self-interest and leadership that is very weak with no direction.
Good luck, Deahan Minguk

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

anae · Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: cowtown

peppergirl · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

good things about Korea for children: low crime, few kidnappings, little drugs, no school shootings, etc.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

? More than the U.S.? not possible

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

gypsyfish · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

tsgarp · Joined: 01 Dec 2003

It really depends on where you are. I know this is a national comparison but if you really break it down, I'd rather raise a kid in Chnagwon than in Anacostia even thought the Smithsonian is few subway stops away. I'd rather not raise my kids in Kupo (rough part of Pusan) and I sure as hell would not want to raise my kid in Detroit unless I was well out in the suburbs. Savannah is probably a great place to raise a kid and I would imagine Cheju wouldn't be too bad either. No way would i want to raise a child, especially a daughter in, in Bangkok but I got a friend who has a family in Chang Rai and he loves it there. Seoul is probably a lot harder than many places but it's gotta beat Kumi by a mile.