Youth Foundation Holds Forum on Support Measures by Life Types for Isolated and Reclusive Youth

The Era of 540,000 Isolated and Reclusive Youths
Complex Patterns and Causes Call for Customized Support Through Typology

The Youth Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation) announced that it successfully held the forum titled ‘Support Measures by Life Types of Isolated and Reclusive Youth? What Does the Life of Isolated and Reclusive Youth Look Like?’ on the 12th at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul.

This forum was organized to share and disseminate the results of the ‘Study on Life Types and Service Needs of Isolated and Reclusive Youth’ conducted by the Foundation from June to December 2024. It was designed as a time to review the diversified lives of isolated and reclusive youth within complex and varied social structures and to explore customized support measures accordingly.

About 200 people attended the forum, including workers from public and private youth support organizations, individuals with experiences of isolation and reclusion, and researchers in related fields, confirming high social interest in youth issues.

[‘Support Measures by Life Type for Isolated and Reclusive Youth Forum’ On-site (In Part 1, Professor Kim Araemi of Seoul Women’s University is presenting research results.)]

The first part featured the ‘Presentation of the Study Results on Life Typology of Isolated and Reclusive Youth’ and ‘Speeches by Youth Representatives by Type.’

For this study, 1,300 youths classified as reclusive or isolated from the ‘2022 Youth Life Survey’ data by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs were selected as subjects. The ‘latent class analysis’ technique, which classifies groups showing similar tendencies by reflecting various individual characteristics, was utilized. As a result, four types of isolated and reclusive youth were introduced: ▲Health Vulnerable Type ▲Independent Livelihood Debt Type ▲Unemployed Poverty Type ▲Family Dependent Type.

Support policies needed for each type were proposed as follows: for the Health Vulnerable Type, physical and mental health support and social relationship formation support; for the Independent Livelihood Debt Type, employment support and income support; for the Unemployed Poverty Type, employment support, income support, and mental health support; and for the Family Dependent Type, social relationship formation support and employment support services.

Following this, youth representatives belonging to each type took the stage to share the triggers and experiences of their isolation and reclusion and discussed the youth support services they need.

Mr. A, a Health Vulnerable Type youth presenter, recommended the introduction of Japan’s ‘15-minute commute system’ for youths with insufficient work capacity due to health issues.

Mr. B, an Independent Livelihood Debt Type youth, said, “It was difficult to maintain a stable life due to income instability and livelihood pressure,” and suggested financial support and center living arrangements that allow sufficient recovery time without income worries.

Finally, Mr. C, an Unemployed Poverty Type youth, and Mr. D, a Family Dependent Type youth, emphasized that “employment support services are the most necessary common factor to escape isolation.”

[‘Forum on Support Measures by Life Types of Isolated and Reclusive Youth’ On-site (Part 2 Policy Proposal Round Table in Progress)]

The second part featured a ‘Policy Proposal Round Table,’ where youth experts and representatives jointly proposed and discussed customized policies for the recovery and social independence of isolated and reclusive youth.

Panelists included Professor Kim Araemi of Seoul Women’s University and Professor Lee Haenim of Dongguk University (co-researchers of the ‘Study on Life Types and Service Needs of Isolated and Reclusive Youth’), writer Jang Jaeyeol (author of ‘Reconnect: Everyone Becomes Alone Once’), Park Jaeyoung, team leader of the Youth Foundation’s Eum Project Team, and youths with experiences of isolation and reclusion.

Regarding the necessity of typifying isolated and reclusive youth, Professor Lee Haenim of Dongguk University responded, “When workers meet youths in the field, the results of this typology study can serve as a basis for more efficiently allocating limited resources.”

Following this, Park Jaeyoung, team leader of the Youth Foundation, shared his opinion, saying, “In the past, youths were classified by isolation period or level, but I believe the current typology method will provide much more practical help.”

In addition to the widely provided employment support and social relationship formation support services, the panelists suggested ideas for necessary support policies such as ▲expanding accessibility to support services outside Seoul ▲expanding programs that allow small but repeated feelings of achievement ▲housing stability support such as deposit assistance ▲psychological counseling support for mental health.

Finally, youth E, currently experiencing isolation and reclusion, encouraged the audience by saying, “If you muster courage just once and take one step out into the world, there are many people willing to help,” moving the audience.

Park Juhee, Secretary General of the Youth Foundation, stated, “Since 2018, the Foundation has supported isolated and reclusive youth and confirmed that their lives and needs are very diverse, and that customized support according to these needs leads to practical recovery and independence,” adding, “We hope this forum will serve as an opportunity to discuss and cooperate so that professional and effective support can be provided in the field.”

The report on the ‘Study on Life Types and Service Needs of Isolated and Reclusive Youth’ used in this forum is available for download by anyone on the Youth Foundation’s website.