"‘Men Should Also Take Care of Children’... 89.8% of Seocho District Residents Agree"

Seocho-gu Publishes '2023 Gender-Sensitive Statistics' Report... On the 19th, Seocho-gu Releases '2023 Gender-Sensitive Statistics' Report to Advance Women-Friendly City and Gender Equality Policies... Since 2021, Includes Resident Awareness Survey on Gender Role Perceptions, Education and Cultural Activities by Gender... Most Residents Respond Positively to Fathers' Childcare and Women's Social Activities, Reflecting Positive Views on Changing Traditional Gender Roles

According to the ‘2023 Seocho-gu Gender Awareness Statistics’ report, the majority of residents agree with the statement ‘Men should be able to take care of children without help from others,’ indicating a positive recognition of changes in traditional gender roles.

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) published the ‘2023 Seocho-gu Gender Awareness Statistics’ report, which contains residents’ perceptions of gender roles and the gender status of education and cultural activities.

The ‘Seocho-gu Gender Awareness Statistics’ has been published annually since 2021 by the district office and the Seocho-gu Gender Equality Activity Center to promote the creation of a women-friendly city and the development of gender equality policies. This year’s statistics include the results of a resident perception survey conducted in July on 758 Seocho-gu residents aged 15 and older.

The main contents include ▲ Perceptions of changes in gender roles ▲ Awareness of traditional gender role stereotypes ▲ Satisfaction with Seocho-gu’s educational environment ▲ Participation experience in lifelong learning education ▲ Actual and desired leisure activities ▲ Experience of attending cultural and artistic performances.

First, looking at ‘Perceptions of changes in gender roles,’ 89.8% of both male and female residents agreed with the statement ‘Men should be able to take care of children without help from others.’

Women across all age groups responded positively at over 90%, while young men (ages 15?29) showed 79.5% agreement, and men aged 60 and over showed 93% agreement, indicating that older age groups are more favorable toward ‘dad childcare.’

A district official said, “It is encouraging that most residents positively recognize fathers’ participation in childcare,” adding, “Since 2020, the district has been promoting various projects to encourage men’s involvement in childcare, including providing ‘Dad Childcare Leave Incentives.’”

Along with perceptions of childcare, 88.2% agreed with the statement ‘It is good for women to have jobs,’ showing that most residents have a positive attitude toward women’s participation in social activities.

In the education and cultural fields, 6 out of 10 residents participated in lifelong learning education, with women participating more (women 70.3%, men 53.2%). Through lifelong learning, 80.8% responded that it helped increase ‘psychological satisfaction and happiness.’

Additionally, among various cultural activities that enhance residents’ quality of life, the most frequently attended cultural and artistic performances in the past year were movies (3.68 times), followed by art exhibitions and Western music concerts.

Detailed information on the ‘2023 Seocho-gu Gender Awareness Statistics’ can be found on the Seocho-gu Gender Equality Activity Center website.

Meanwhile, on the 19th, the district held the ‘2023 Seocho-gu Gender Awareness Statistics Forum’ at the Jamwon Center of the Seocho Women and Family Plaza. About 30 experts and residents participated to share research results on gender awareness statistics and explore policy directions for creating a gender-equal local culture.

Seocho-gu Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “We will reflect gender awareness statistics in sector-specific policies and promote various resident happiness projects tailored to Seocho’s characteristics and residents’ needs.”