• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.131-154
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• 2013

Although fatalities due to child abuse are frequently happened, there has been a dearth of research on the topic. The present research analyzes deaths due to child abuse in representative newspapers in order to examine incidences, causes, and characteristics of child abuse. The results showed that from 2000 to 2012 child abuse deaths occurred 141 cases. Most deaths due to child abuse were committed by single mothers, biological mothers, cohabiting women and stepmothers, and biological fathers. As regards the reasons of deaths due to child abuse, the frequency of newborn infant deaths as the result of abuse by single mother or single parent was the highest, and lack of parenting skills, postpartum depression, hardships of living and lack of financial abilities were followed. Also, subjects received extensive media coverage were crime compositions-stereotypes of child abusers, habitual and continual child abuse, lack of child abuse reporting and prevention system, and mild penalties. Finally, based on the results of the study, the implications to prevent and resolve deaths due to child abuse were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.89-109
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of knowledge that mothers have on child development. To do so, a Knowledge of Child Development Inventory(KCDI) developed by Larsen &Juhasz(1986) was carried on to 156 mothers with an infant range from birth to age 24 months. The findings of the study were twofold: First, 70% of the questions on average were answered correctly by the participants. In other words, mothers generally demonstrated a high level of knowledge on child development. With regard to knowledge of child development, their knowledge on physical development of children was relatively low in comparison with that of cognitive and emotional development. In addition, mothers with a girl were more aware of child development especially in relation to child's emotional development. Also, mothers who delivered a heavier baby at birth possessed a higher level of knowledge concerning child's physical development. Second, other external factors, such as the level of family income and mother's education, played a significant role in affecting the level of knowledge on child development. Unsurprisingly, mothers with a higher income and education level demonstrated a higher level of knowledge on child's cognitive development. The findings of the study implicates that mothers seldom demonstrate a proper level of knowledge on child development. Hence, this study suggests that a practical, functional training services and resources for current and future mothers must be ensued.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2010

Purpose:In recent years, Korea has showed a steady increase in the frequency of teenage birth, while the overall birth rate has declined. As the teenage birth is known as a high risk pregnancy itself, we examined perinatal complications of teenage mothers and whose neonates in aspects of medical problem, and social status and support. Methods:We examined the perinatal characteristics of teenage mothers and whose babies, who were hospitalized at Korea University Ansan Hospital from January 2004 to July 2009 using medical records retrospectively. Twenty-seven teenage mothers and their 28 babies were enrolled in this study. Results:Teenage mothers were all unmarried and showed high rates of preterm labor, maternal anemia, and unexpected delivery. Among them, 11 (40.7%) were from families that were separated. Eleven mothers (40.7%) did not have any antenatal care. There were high rates of prematurity and low birth weight (60.7% and 64.3%, respectively). The complication included: respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus and necrotizing enterocolitis. Fourteen babies (51.9%) were not going to be brought up by their biological parents. Conclusion:Teenage pregnancy had high rates of preterm labor and associated complications, often caused by the lack of proper antenatal care. Babies from unmarried mothers were likely to be adopted and this could be a social burden. Therefore, to reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy and births, sex education and social supports should be provided to all teenagers.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.137-156
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• 2007

Total fertility rate (TFR) increased from the lowest 1.08 in 2005 to 1.13 in 2006, and a debate is made whether the increase is temporary or continuous as a result of various pro-natal policies. This study intends to explore policy implications revealed in recent fertility change using vital statistics. For this purpose, tempo-adjusted fertility rate by birth order, fertility rate by age of mother and birth order, age-specific fertility for married, and age-specific divorce rate for married are analyzed. The increase of TFR and births for 2006 is largely due to increase of first births at early thirties with slowdown of delayed first marriage and first child birth. The increase of female population (the third wave effect of baby boom) and first marriages of late twenties in 2006 and 2007 would lead to increase of fertility during 2007-2008. But further increase is uncertain because of the decrease trend of marital fertility and increase trend of never-married for twenties. TFRs for first and second births reduced rapidly, while TFRs for third and above births showed no changes, and second births were largely affected by tempo adjustment of fertility. Thus, constructing social environment for first and second births is more effective and necessary than encouraging third births. In addition, social responsibility of child care, child-women health issues due to delayed births, and the need for multi-cultural family support system are discussed.