'Voluntary Single Mother' Sayuri Joins KBS 'The Return of Superman'
"Encourages Single Motherhood"... Sayuri Faces Opposition Petition to Blue House
Experts: "Single Parenthood Possible in Most OECD Countries"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Please immediately stop the broadcast on public TV that encourages single mothers to give birth," "Unmarried people also have the right to have children."
In Japan, netizens are engaged in heated debates over the appearance of broadcaster Sayuri (41), who became a 'voluntary single mother' last year through sperm donation, on KBS's "The Return of Superman" (Superman). While some express concerns that Sayuri's participation in a parenting variety show might encourage singlehood, others see it as an opportunity to reflect on family structures and perceptions of single mothers in our society.
Recently, a petition titled "Please immediately stop the public broadcast that encourages single mothers to give birth" was posted on the Blue House's national petition board. As of 1 p.m. on the 30th, the petition had received over 3,000 signatures.
The petitioner pointed out, "Currently, South Korea is facing a serious low birthrate problem, but the reality is that people are avoiding marriage itself. Due to economic difficulties, youth unemployment is also extremely high," adding, "At times like this, even public broadcasters should present proper family values, encourage marriage, and create systems and programs that promote normal childbirth."
They continued, "They are trying to introduce a figure who makes the abnormal method of single motherhood seem normal to young people. This is unacceptable," they criticized.
Recently, a petition opposing the appearance of broadcaster Sayuri, who became a voluntary single mother, on a childcare program was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture.
Earlier, the production team of "Superman" announced on the 23rd, "Sayuri will join as a new Superman," adding, "Since the recording has not yet taken place, the specific broadcast date is undecided." "Superman" is a program that depicts stories of famous fathers taking full charge of childcare for 48 hours, and this is the first time a mother has appeared as a main cast member.
In particular, Sayuri became a topic of discussion last year when she voluntarily gave birth as a single mother on November 4 through the sperm donation system. At that time, Sayuri explained that she received sperm donation in Japan because "in Korea, only married people can undergo in vitro fertilization."
However, some voices expressed concern that Sayuri might influence children and adolescents whose values regarding marriage have not yet been established.
On the day after the news of Sayuri's appearance on "Superman" was announced, on the 24th, a post titled "I absolutely oppose the appearance of voluntary single mother Sayuri" was uploaded on the KBS Viewer Rights Center board. This page is a place where program reviews and viewers' opinions can be presented.
The author stated, "Throughout human history, the representative way of giving birth and raising children has been a man and a woman meeting, marrying, and raising children within a strong and safe framework," adding, "I oppose this image being distorted or changed under the name of 'progress' or the pretext of generational 'change.'
They continued, "It will have a very biased and negative impact on the formation of 'marriage' and 'family' values among child and adolescent viewers," emphasizing, "While I think the choice to give birth through sperm donation is a personal one and cannot be helped, broadcasting this to the entire Republic of Korea opposes the promotion and spread of the value of a healthy 'family,' so I oppose Sayuri's appearance."
On the other hand, there are also supportive reactions to Sayuri's broadcast appearance. Opinions suggest that it could positively change perceptions of single-parent families and even help increase the birthrate.
Office worker Lee (28) said, "In our country, couples who cohabit or have children are still viewed negatively. Society keeps changing, but people's perceptions remain stuck in the past," adding, "We need to understand those who have single motherhood like Sayuri. I don't think others need to criticize what she has chosen."
University student Jung (26) also said, "I think Sayuri's choice is admirable. There are still many prejudices against single mothers in Korea. Nevertheless, she is raising her child while also playing the role of a father, which is respectable," adding, "I think it was a choice that gives courage to those who don't want to marry but want to have children."
Thus, public reactions to single motherhood are becoming more positive. According to the "2020 Social Survey" conducted by Statistics Korea in November last year, surveying about 38,000 people aged 13 and older nationwide, 30.7% of respondents answered that "one can have children without getting married." In other words, 3 out of 10 people believe it is possible to have children without marriage.
However, it is difficult to have single motherhood in Korea. Under the current Bioethics Act, single motherhood is not illegal. But the reason sperm donation for single mothers is practically impossible in Korean society is that women must have the consent of their 'spouse' to receive sperm donation for pregnancy. In other words, without a spouse, written consent cannot be obtained, making single motherhood nearly impossible.
In contrast, many European countries socially accept and legally permit single motherhood. The UK, through legal revisions related to bioethics in 1990, allows unmarried women aged 23 to 39 to receive sperm donation and give birth. Similarly, Sweden has permitted unmarried women under 42 to receive sperm donation since 2015. Among the 27 European Union (EU) countries, 17 allow single motherhood, far exceeding half.
Experts argue that as society changes, 'legalization of single motherhood' should also be pursued domestically.
Park Namcheol, director of the Korea Public Sperm Bank and professor of urology at Pusan National University Hospital, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjung's News Show" and said, "In most OECD countries, unmarried women can give birth through non-spousal artificial insemination," adding, "We need to respond to the rapidly westernizing mindset of young people and provide legal and medical support to successful unmarried women who want to choose to have children."
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