{"id":2203923,"date":"2024-02-22T16:32:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T07:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203923"},"modified":"2024-02-23T17:27:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T08:27:46","slug":"singlehood-surges-in-south-korea-as-youth-rethink-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/02\/singlehood-surges-in-south-korea-as-youth-rethink-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"Singlehood surges in South Korea as youth rethink marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea is witnessing a significant shift in youth attitudes toward marriage, with only about <\/span>30%<\/span><\/a> of teenagers believing that marriage is essential, a 43.7% decrease from a decade ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This evolving stance on marriage and family life poses long-term societal risks, including demographic decline, economic strains from changing household structures and a redefinition of personal and societal goals.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, a vast majority of teenagers are open to living together without being married and having children outside of marriage, reflecting a broader change in societal values and an evolving perspective on family and personal life choices.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee Eun-jae, a 17-year-old high school student from Gyeonggi Province, exemplifies the changing priorities that underscore these trends. Lee\u2019s focus on education and career aspirations over marriage reflects a broader generational shift toward individual achievement and personal fulfillment.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy main focus is on school. I have to prepare for my college entrance exam and build a portfolio for my future career. I seldom ever think about getting married someday. Right now, I just want to be accepted into a reputable university and hopefully, after I graduate, land a decent paying job,\u201d Lee told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n The 2023 Youth Values Survey Study reinforces this shift, highlighting young South Koreans\u2019 growing emphasis on leisure, money and social status over traditional values of family and friendship. The importance attributed to family has decreased significantly, from 89.4% in 2012 to 81.7% in 2023, while the value placed on friendships has also seen a sharp decline.<\/span><\/p>\n These changing values and attitudes toward marriage among South Korea\u2019s youth not only reflect a departure from traditional norms but also spotlight the urgent need for societal and policy adaptation to address the emerging challenges of this demographic evolution.<\/span><\/p>\n A woman living alone in her house | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n IN THE LAND OF SINGLES<\/b><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s social landscape is transforming into one dominated by single individuals. A <\/span>survey<\/span><\/a> by Statistics Korea in Aug. 2023 highlights that only half of the population considers marriage essential, marking a slight decline from previous years. This sentiment is particularly strong among women and even more so among the unmarried, with a mere 29.1% of teenagers viewing marriage as a necessity.<\/span><\/p>\n