Survey on Perceptions of Parental Support and Caregiving
'Currently Providing Financial Support' 33.9%
'Feeling Financial Support Burden' 39.2%
Need for Early Retirement Preparation and Support for Low-Income Groups
Office worker Han Mo (33) lives separately from his mother but sends her 600,000 won monthly for living expenses. Since his father passed away several years ago, he has no other family to support besides himself. Han said, "Living away from my hometown has basically become managing two households," adding, "I have no money even just to breathe. I gave up on marriage a long time ago," sighing deeply.
It has been found that 3 out of 10 Koreans either live with their parents or provide financial support even if living separately. Although the belief that supporting parents is not an obligation has increased, children face the reality that they cannot ignore their family. Ultimately, there are calls for parents' advance retirement preparations and support measures for low-income groups.
According to the "2022 Korea Welfare Panel Survey and Analysis Report" by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs on the 21st, a survey of 7,865 households showed that 21.39% agreed with the statement "The responsibility to support parents lies with the children," 49.14% disagreed, and 29.47% neither agreed nor disagreed. This is a significant change compared to 15 years ago when more than half responded that supporting parents was the children's duty.
Contrary to changes in social perception, the reality is harsh. A perception survey on parental support and caregiving conducted by Embrain Trend Monitor from the 22nd to 25th of last month targeting 1,000 adults aged 19 to 69 nationwide found that 33.9% currently provide financial support to their parents. The average monthly amounts were 300,000 won (22.1%), 200,000 won (19.5%), 500,000 won (17.7%), 100,000 won (10.3%), and 400,000 won (5.3%), in that order.
A considerable number of respondents felt burdened by supporting their parents. In fact, 39.2% answered that they feel burdened by financially supporting their parents. Nevertheless, many viewed supporting their parents as a moral duty, citing reasons such as filial obligation (58.1%, multiple responses allowed) and having received financial support from their parents until now (42.8%).
Concerns about caregiving due to parents' deteriorating health were also high. When asked about the possibility of parents' health worsening, 75.9% agreed that there would be psychological burdens related to parental support, and 72.5% expressed concerns about economic burdens. The burden of caregiving costs was expected to increase by 85.4% of respondents. Lee Mo (36) said, "My mother suffers from hypertension and diabetes, so I worry a lot," adding, "Hospital bills will likely increase more and more, and I don't know what to do."
Professor Seo Ijong of the Department of Sociology at Seoul National University pointed out, "The parent generation should live with the awareness that they must take responsibility for their retirement with the money they earned," adding, "Support for low-income and vulnerable groups is necessary, but it is not sustainable for the state to take full responsibility."
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