24/7 KakaoTalk Consultation Available for Pregnancy, Abortion, and Childbirth
Basic Healthy Family Act Removes Health Terms
Support for Adolescent Mothers Expanded to Under 19
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The introduction of a 'protected childbirth system' that allows parents to register their child's birth without revealing their identity is being promoted. Mothers will be able to give up their child for adoption without disclosing their birth records.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Employment and Labor jointly announced on the 16th a 'Support Measures for Single-Parent Families including Unmarried Mothers' containing these details.
Recently, there have been calls for support measures for unmarried mothers following incidents such as newborn deaths in front of baby boxes and adoption posts appearing on secondhand goods trading applications. Additionally, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, single parents who are solely responsible for livelihood, household chores, and child-rearing are experiencing dual hardships of economic difficulties and caregiving.
The government is first considering the introduction of the protected childbirth system to protect the mother's personal information. This is a measure to keep the mother's information confidential at the birth registration stage to prevent choices such as infant abandonment due to concerns about personal information exposure. It will be promoted through consultations between the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee and related ministries in the future.
In the future, counseling and support policy information will also be available through KakaoTalk for those facing difficulties due to sudden pregnancy or childbirth. Yoon Hyo-sik, Director of Youth and Family Policy at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "Pregnancy and childbirth-related counseling, including abortion, is available 24 hours a day through the 'Family Counseling Hotline'." Support for adolescent mothers will be expanded from under 18 years old to under 19 years old.
Support for stable child-rearing after childbirth will also be strengthened. The childcare service will be provided at a higher rate than the current 85% government support for single-parent families in households earning 75% or less of the median income. Expansion of income criteria and admission periods for parent-family welfare facilities will also be promoted. Yoon Hyo-sik of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said, "There is consensus on single-parent issues in the National Assembly and elsewhere, so budget review is expected to be fully possible."
Child Support Non-Compliance Leads to Driver’s License Suspension from June Next Year
Adolescent Unmarried Mothers Allowed Leave of Absence Due to Pregnancy and Childbirth
Meanwhile, recent legal amendments allow single-parent children receiving livelihood benefits to receive child support, and the target for additional child support has been expanded from under 24 years old to under 34 years old, promoting the expansion of child support. From June next year, if a child support debtor fails to pay, their driver's license will be suspended.
To eliminate social prejudice, the 'Healthy Family Basic Act' will also be changed to a value-neutral term. The current Healthy Family Basic Act includes the value concept of 'healthy' before the family subject, causing a dichotomous classification of healthy and unhealthy families and discrimination against diverse family forms.
Additionally, adolescent unmarried mothers will be allowed deferment and leave of absence due to pregnancy and childbirth to prevent interruption of their studies. Along with this, the practice of requiring sensitive personal information such as parents' marriage, separation, or bereavement when assigning middle and high schools will be improved.
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