[Born in '58, Sunja] Expanding Exchanges through Religion and Service 'Kim Gwonsa-nim', Political Debate with Husband

<Feature> Women Baby Boomer Report #2
Women Once Called "Someone's Mom"
Gaining Social Titles Through Religious Activities
Receiving Specific Roles Like Kwon-sa and Bosal-nim
Sharing Social Life Beyond Simple Faith
Interest in Politics, Also Attending Rally Sites

The above photo is not related to the article. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Ms. Sunja: A vague collection of images that can be thought of as a birth cohort of women born between 1955 and 1963, and one of the most common female names of the era. She is a fictional persona created to explain these women more vividly. Although from an earlier generation, the character name of the mother played by actress Youn Yuh-jung in the film "Minari" was also Kim Sunja.

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyun-jung (Sejong), Lee Hyun-joo, Son Sun-hee (Sejong)] # When the family gathered and political talk came up, ‘Ms. Sunja’ used to silently peel fruit. But she has changed. She has started to express specific opinions, such as which party should not be voted for or which policy must be supported. During the Seoul mayoral by-election last April, Ms. Sunja was the first to ask her husband and children who they would vote for, and she commented on political articles on her smartphone for the first time. Political discussions also continue at meetings with church deaconesses. She shares the portal site pages of journalists she likes and encourages others to subscribe. Next year’s presidential election is a more exciting issue than the Olympics. Although face-to-face worship has decreased due to COVID-19, they still meet in small groups at coffee shops on weekday afternoons or leisurely weekends. Ms. Sunja looks forward to the day when she can resume face-to-face volunteer activities with the deaconesses. ‘During the last presidential election, famous politicians also participated...’ she recalls.

The baby boomer generation experienced extreme poverty to the extent of worrying about meals during the post-war period but also went through the modernization process of economic development plans, simultaneously enjoying the benefits of education and economic growth. In 1977, when they were between 14 and 24 years old, the national per capita income (GNP) surpassed $1,000, and exports reached $10 billion. Although educational levels improved compared to the past, gender role stereotypes did not change. Men worked mainly outside, and women mostly inside the home, resulting in limited social capital for baby boomer women. However, even for Ms. Sunja, who was known as ‘someone’s mother,’ opportunities for social recognition arose. A representative example is gaining social status through religious activities.

◆ ‘Social Titles’ Gained Through Religious Activities = Ms. Sunja and her peers experience receiving specific roles such as ‘deaconess’ or ‘bosal’ within religious organizations (churches, cathedrals, temples, etc.). Religious organizations often serve as communities within neighborhoods or nearby districts, allowing members to develop relationships through shared activities like exercise, hobbies, and shopping. For some women in their 50s and 60s, religious activities have become more than simple faith?they have become a way of life. This is because they form deep human relationships with others who share religious values and experiences during worship or mass participation.

Professor Hong Sung-hee of Keimyung University’s Department of Consumer Information stated in her 2017 qualitative study on social participation activities of female baby boomers, "Women of this generation participate in many activities provided by religion ‘busily like working at a job’ and ‘enjoyably,’ making them part of their daily lives." One participant even said, "The best thing I ever did was choosing Catholicism," reflecting the positive energy gained.

42.3% Volunteer Participation Rate Among Women in Their 60s and 70s

Religious Organizations Recommend Participation Most at 75.2%

With Economic Means and After Children’s Independence

Higher Social Participation Through Hobbies and Volunteering

Many baby boomer women interviewed by Asia Economy have expanded their social experiences through religious activities. Ms. A, in her early 60s, applied to a theological college after all her children became independent, and this experience led her to a Christian CEO course. She now runs a private forum with fellow students. Ms. B, in her mid-50s, became interested in politics through church volunteer activities she regularly attended. She often went to rallies with peers from the same church as if going on outings. Although this sometimes led to heated arguments with her children and daughters-in-law, Ms. B enjoys even that.

◆ Relationships as Social Capital... Enhancing Quality of Life = Bonds based on religion and local communities expand into social participation such as volunteer work. This trend is especially prominent among elderly women. According to the ‘2020 Volunteer Activity Survey and Basic Law Amendment Study on Volunteer Activities’ commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to the Korea Volunteer Culture, the participation rate of women in their 60s and 70s (baby boomer generation not separately calculated) was 42.3%, the highest among all age groups. In the same report, when asked which organizations recommended volunteering (multiple answers allowed), 61.7% of all women (51.6% of men), 65.5% of those aged 50-59, and 75.2% of those aged 60-79 answered religious organizations. Other organizations (workplaces, civic groups, informal gatherings, schools, social economy organizations, professional groups, etc.) were also surveyed, but religious organizations were the only ones to receive over 50% responses.

Experts believe that in old age, work and social roles may decrease, but experiences like volunteering can compensate for the decline in economic capital and improve quality of life. Nam-hee Hwang, head of the Aging Society Research Center at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, said, "The baby boomer generation has higher education and economic levels compared to previous elderly generations. They also tend to have fewer children. With economic means supported, and after children become independent, they have more time, increasing their desire for social participation, engaging actively in hobbies, volunteering, and jobs."

Traditional family values also differ somewhat from those of past elderly female generations. A representative example is divorce. According to Statistics Korea, the divorce rate for those aged 25-29 decreased by 10.3% last year compared to the previous year, and for those aged 30-34 by 9.2%, while for those aged 55-59 it increased by 3.7%, and for those over 60 by 6.8%. New trends such as ‘jolhon’ (living separately while remaining legally married) also represent new life orientations not seen before.