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  • Title: [Fertility decline and family life cycle in Korea].
    Author: Kong SK, Cho AJ.
    Journal: Ingu Pogon Nonjip; 1985 Jul; 5(1):22-45. PubMed ID: 12267356.
    Abstract:
    For the last 20 years, Korea has experienced a tremendous socioeconomic development, which is expected to continue into the future. This paper attempts to examine the relationship between family life cycle in Korea using actual data. Fertility reduction in the past 2 decades is largely attributed to birth control, rising age at marriage, and expansion of educational opportunity that came into being in the wake of rapid socioeconomic development. Fertility decline among younger women (20 years old and younger) is associated primarily with rising age at marriage. The mean age at marriage has increased from 22 in 1960 to 24 in 1983. Fertility decline for older women (30 years and over) is associated with the adoption of contraceptives, especially sterilization. As a result, the peak age at fertility decreased from about 32 years in 1960 to 27 years in 1983, while the length of each phase of the family life cycle has shown consistent change. The interval from marriage to the birth of the last child is shortened about 1/3 from over 10 years in 1960 to 3 years in 1983. Despite these recent changes in women's role, Korea still has a long way to go before realizing full participation of women in all aspects of development because legal, social, and institutional barriers still remain virtually intact. However, women are now encouraged to participate in various activities such as working for factories, companies, or government offices, producing a diversification of socioeconomic and family structures. 1 of the important changes in women's concepts about their role is that they now can achieve self-realization and earn income for their families through participation in economic activities. As a matter of fact, the women's labor participation rate in Korea has steadily increased, especially before and after child bearing ages. The number of economically active women has increased very fast in the 30 year age group since 1972. More women are engaged in professional, clerical, sales, and service work and tend to remain longer at their jobs. It is significant to note that the expansion of employment opportunities for women will inevitably bring about a reduction in fertility. As social modernization continues, women's role in Korea will be changed greatly and at the same time their role changes will inevitably lead to declining fertility.
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