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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
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 Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject: Korean low birth rates - why? |
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Low birth rates are apparent in most if not all first-world countries except the US.
Egalitarianism and increased opportunities for women is obviously the cause.
But Korea is nowhere near as egaliatarian as somewhere like Germany or Greece (astonishingly low birth rates) and all those Korean housewives should be spewing out sprogs left, right and centre!
"Women have more choices nowadays" is our excuse - what's Korea's excuse? |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Money in the bank = Who the hell wants kids?
It's been a problem since at least the Romans. |
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SPINOZA
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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It's been a problem since the 1960s really.
Prior to that, with all the good ladies staying at home and doing woman's work, birthrates were 2.2 or above.
Is that all it is - money?? 
I would've thought lack of money would be an incentive to not get preggers rather than having money. |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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Money is pretty much why people are not having children in Korea, but it's not because they have money.. rather it's the exact opposite.
Look around you - go to department store and take a look how expensive everything baby-related is in Korea.
Hagwon fees, books, games, toys.. etc..
Medical fees are also expensive in Korea, despite insurance. Social welfare is to a minimal - hardly any available at all!!!!
It's more like because people cannot afford to have children. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject: yes |
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| Maybe because they're just not having sex. |
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ChuckECheese
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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| tzechuk wrote: |
Money is pretty much why people are not having children in Korea, but it's not because they have money.. rather it's the exact opposite.
Look around you - go to department store and take a look how expensive everything baby-related is in Korea.
Hagwon fees, books, games, toys.. etc..
Medical fees are also expensive in Korea, despite insurance. Social welfare is to a minimal - hardly any available at all!!!!
It's more like because people cannot afford to have children. |
But you have a beautiful baby girl! |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| What I don't understand is why this is a 'women's problem.' Once the kid is squeezed out, anyone can take care of a baby. My father stayed at home to take care of me and my mother went at to work when I was young. It seems to me that rather than just dumping on women's choices, men need to take some responsibility for this problem as well. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Personally I don't think it is a money problem - it's a lifestyle choice for most Koreans.
Years ago, a family might live in squalor to send their children to school (5 or more children). However now, people prefer to maintain a certain standard of living and are thus only able to "afford" managing a small family.
This generation simply doesn't want to give up their luxuries. |
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slow_life
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Location: here
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Captain Corea wrote: |
Personally I don't think it is a money problem - it's a lifestyle choice for most Koreans.
Years ago, a family might live in squalor to send their children to school (5 or more children). However now, people prefer to maintain a certain standard of living and are thus only able to "afford" managing a small family.
This generation simply doesn't want to give up their luxuries. |
I agree with Captain Corea............women are getting pregnant just as fast other countries, but choose to abort the babies. One agency states that about 2,000,000 abortions occur annully in SK...........if that was reduced, the population growth "problem?" would be solved. I don't see it as a problem but as a blessing........shorter lines, less congestion , and cleaner air. The future looks bright for SK with a smaller population. |
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Yesterday
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Land of the Morning DongChim (Kancho)
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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| SPINOZA wrote: |
| It's been a problem since the 1960s really. . |
Sure - after the great depression in the 1950's.... (ever heard of too many children (people were having 8-12 kids back then) and no food)).
an interesting thing is - seems no one in korea was reproducing during 1997, 1998, 1999 - ( was it the IMF crisis? )
for every 100 - korean 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 year old kids in 2006
- there was only 50~60 - 7, 8, 9 year old kids..... in 2006
I will be interested in the figures during 1997.... ( as the IMF crisis was during 1997~1999) - I expect a heap more 7 year olds this year....
Last edited by Yesterday on Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:58 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| crazylemongirl wrote: |
| What I don't understand is why this is a 'women's problem.' Once the kid is squeezed out, anyone can take care of a baby. My father stayed at home to take care of me and my mother went at to work when I was young. It seems to me that rather than just dumping on women's choices, men need to take some responsibility for this problem as well. |
Yes. My husband is pretty good at taking care of Letty when needs be. I am quite lucky in this regard. It makes my going back to work a bit easier (Letty goes to a daycare, too but when she is ill etc, hubby is the one who takes care of her at home). |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| ChuckECheese wrote: |
| But you have a beautiful baby girl! |
I've lucked out!!!!
My husband and I chose to have this child by deciding that we would forego a few luxuries. As captain Corea said, others are not so willing to do so, but we are. And having relatives overseas who can send us stuff that are so cheap out there in comparison (even with postage!) makes having a child here a bit easier 
I was actually saying to my husband the other day that Letty has been a pretty cheap baby so far.
She has never had one ounce of formula - she was (is - still feeding, morning and night, at 26 months!) breastfed from the get-go and she is potty-trained since around 20 months! I saved a heck of a lot of money by not needing to buy formula and extra-large size nappies!
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taobenli
Joined: 26 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Yesterday wrote: |
| SPINOZA wrote: |
| It's been a problem since the 1960s really. . |
Sure - after the great depression in the 1950's.... (every heard of too many children (people were having 8-12 kids back then) and no food)).
an interesting thing is - seems no one in korea was reproducing during 1997, 1998, 1999 - ( was it the IMF crisis or the Olympic games?)??
for every 100 - korean 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 year old kids in 2006
- there was only 50~60 7, 8, 9 years old kids..... in 2006
I will be interested in the figures during 1997.... ( as the IMF crisis and the Olympic games were during 1997~1999) - I expect a heap more 7 year olds this year.... |
The Olympic games in Seoul were in 1988... |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:54 am Post subject: yes |
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We will probably have 1 child here, and possibly 1 more in the future once we are more stable.
It will be expensive for us to have a kid too, but not like for Korean parents. No hagwon fees, no idiotic purchases, and no car. |
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jdog2050
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:11 am Post subject: |
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| Captain Corea wrote: |
Personally I don't think it is a money problem - it's a lifestyle choice for most Koreans.
Years ago, a family might live in squalor to send their children to school (5 or more children). However now, people prefer to maintain a certain standard of living and are thus only able to "afford" managing a small family.
This generation simply doesn't want to give up their luxuries. |
Yeah...no farm=no reason to have 18 kids (like my great grandfather did...really) which means no reason to constantly sacrifice your happiness. Welcome to the 1st world, korea! |
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