Despite having a relatively small elderly population, South Korea's elderly poverty rate outranks that of all other countries with 43.8 percent of all elderly people living in poverty. Moreover,...Show moreDespite having a relatively small elderly population, South Korea's elderly poverty rate outranks that of all other countries with 43.8 percent of all elderly people living in poverty. Moreover, the Korean elderly are poorer than all other age groups. To make up for this inequality, one third of the elderly population stays active on the labour market. This study examines how changes in family dynamics, current social welfare programmes and pension policies explain this high elderly workforce participation rate. To do so, it uses secondary literature, analyses government reports and laws in addition to statistics published by databanks of the OECD and Statistics Korea, among others. In order to understand the importance of this analysis, the Korean case is brought into world context by comparing it with Japan and the Netherlands. This study found that Korea's current elderly support system is unbalanced and has not yet reached its full potential: the combination of shifting household structures and the immature pension system leaves the elderly with a weak safety net that fails to keep them from living below the poverty line.Show less
This thesis aimed to examine to what extent the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at Sogang University reflect the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Korea as a whole. This study discovered...Show moreThis thesis aimed to examine to what extent the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at Sogang University reflect the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Korea as a whole. This study discovered that LGBTQ+ students at Sogang University, to a certain extent, receive social support from the same sources as the queer community on a national level does, but lack support from online communities and through representation in class and on campus.Show less
The number of South Korea’s single-parent households is on the rise, the current study will explore what the possible reasons for this increase could be. Developments in both adoption policies and...Show moreThe number of South Korea’s single-parent households is on the rise, the current study will explore what the possible reasons for this increase could be. Developments in both adoption policies and single-parent policies are analysed in order to see how these affect childrearing behaviour amongst single-mothers in South Korea. Secondary and governmental data on overseas and domestic adoption is collected in order to form coherent tables that are used to analyse the effects of the policy amendments. Past policy amendments are discussed and the effects of secondary factors such as fluctuating birth-rates and economic crises are considered in the analysis. In general South Korea’s welfare system is lacking behind its economic growth, which especially affects single-mother households. The social support offered by companies that compensates for the weak public welfare system does not apply to these households, as single-mothers often have no choice but to opt for part-time jobs due to their dual responsibilities. As a result these households have to turn to their family for social support, but often have difficulty receiving this due to the inflexibility of older generations in accepting alternative family structures. All causing single-mothers to be especially reliant on public welfare. Nevertheless, the current system only offers limited social support for these households. Despite increased willingness of child-rearing amongst single-mothers, the support system is not yet optimal and should be improved to accommodate these households.Show less
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in individualism in South Korea. South Korea, like most East Asian countries, has been a collective society, which emphasises groups and...Show moreIn recent years, there has been an increasing interest in individualism in South Korea. South Korea, like most East Asian countries, has been a collective society, which emphasises groups and social networks. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Korea has been changing as especially a significant amount of the younger generation started undertaking actions on their own and enjoying these. These young people say they changed their behaviour for their own happiness. This paper will look at the causes of individualism and analyze individualistic behaviour through the drama Hon-sul-nam-nyŏ (Drinking Solo) which was released in 2016.Show less
South Korea is known for having a high suicide rate. This study investigates the views of the Korean youth on youth suicide and elderly suicide through a survey. In order to understand suicide...Show moreSouth Korea is known for having a high suicide rate. This study investigates the views of the Korean youth on youth suicide and elderly suicide through a survey. In order to understand suicide behavior in South Korea, this study provides theories of suicide and context on the youth/elderly suicidal problem in South Korea.Show less
