From Extended Families to Nuclear Families: Changes in South Korean Family Culture

From Extended Families to Nuclear Families: Changes in South Korean Family Culture

 

In traditional South Korean society, the typical family structure involved extended families spanning three to four generations living together. However, with the influence of Westernization and industrialization, families gradually became smaller, even to the extent of nuclear families consisting of only two members. The decline in birth rates led to an increase in three-member families, and terms like "YOLO" and "DINK" became popular, further promoting the prevalence of smaller families. One of the main causes for this shift can be attributed to education.

 

Korean parents have shown an exceptional commitment to education, comparable to parents in any other country. Consequently, private education became widespread, with educational expenses taking up a significant portion of household income, sometimes reaching unsustainable levels. The fervor for education and the pursuit of excellence created a mindset that dictated children must attend top-tier universities to secure a successful future and confident life. However, the tendency to evaluate individuals solely based on economic perspectives and social status eventually diminished moral responsibilities and overshadowed considerations for others. Negative thoughts about the amount of money required and the arduous time spent in order to help their children succeed in such a competitive society led to a conclusion that having a second child was unrealistic, rather than focusing on affection for their current child.

 

Previous generations, having experienced war, famine, and subsequent economic growth and social development, held a more positive outlook towards the future. They believed in the proverb, "One must provide for oneself." Thus, they strived to create a family culture centered around having and raising multiple children. However, subsequent generations, faced with the need to create better situations rather than simply overcoming hardships, have lost confidence in the ability to provide for their families. The obsession with achieving economic stability and a comfortable lifestyle has shifted the focus towards working harder or generating more income, rather than expressing affection within the family. Even in cases where couples marry and establish a household, both partners engage in wage labor, while their children are sent to daycare centers and kindergartens. In the past, grandparents would have filled this void, but now educational institutions prioritize future-oriented knowledge over parental love. Consequently, this has led to the emergence of various social issues, such as school violence and suicide. The notion that excelling academically forgives all sins has taken hold. It is now a critical moment for us to reconsider what constitutes a happy life.

 

The shrinking of family culture, from extended families forming the foundation to the prevalence of two-person families, has reached a point where the term "single-person household" has been coined. If South Korean society continues in this direction, there is a concern that personal tendencies will deepen, solidifying a self-centered structure where individuals solely pursue their own enjoyment. This has become a challenge that the entire Korean population must address.