• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.161-183
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• 2009

지난 30년 동안 출산율은 대부분의 국가에서 감소했다. 그리고 전 세계 인구의 절반 이상은 대체수준 이하의 출산력 수준에 이르고 있다. 합계출산율이 1.5 혹은 그 이하의 출산력 수준을 보이는 국가의 수도 계속 증가하고 있다. 저출산의 확산과 함께 합계출산율 1.3 이하를 의미하는 초저출산 현상도 크게 주목받고 있다. 앞으로 저출산이 멈출 것인지, 출산율이 회복될 것인지 혹은 지속적으로 감소할 것인지에 대해서는 아무도 쉽게 답할 수 없다. 그럼에도 불구하고 최근 산업국가들이 보여주고 있는 저출산 기조는 상당 기간 지속될 것으로 보는 견해가 일반적이다. 이 글은 저출산 및 초저출산 현상을 어떻게 설명할 것인가에 대한 이론적 논의를 검토하고, 이러한 논의가 한국 사회의 인구학적 변화에 어떤 함의를 지니고 있는가를 제시하고자 한다. 이를 위해 우선 저출산을 설명하는데 유용한 이론적 틀을 검토하고자 한다. 이들은 제2차 인구변천이론, 합리적 선택이론, 위험이론, 양성평등 이론, 선호이론, 젠더와 시장이론 등을 포함한다. 이를 기반으로 본 연구는 한국사회의 저출산 현상을 설명하는 연구들의 특성과 시사점 등을 검토하고자 한다.

• Proceedings of KHEA Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.60-61
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• 2005

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.43 no.11 s.213
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• pp.165-183
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• 2005

Total fertility rate in South Korea is the lowest in the world. A fertility rate below replacement fertility level will result in serious social problems in the long term. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study a general understanding about the low fertility rate phenomenon and to investigate the effectiveness of fertility policies in order to ameliorate the resulting social problems due to the low fertility rate. This research was a descriptive examination into the low fertility rate phenomenon and an investigation of the needs for fertility potties and their effectiveness. The study subjects were consisted of 769 unmarried people aged from 18 to 40 years old. Data were collected from June to August 2004 and were analyzed by frequencies, mean, and standard deviation. The following results were revealed. First, unmarried people in general had positive perspectives about getting marriaged, giving birth, and being a parent. In addition, the primary cause of low fertility rate was economical difficulties for raising a child. Third, unmarried people thought that the low fertility rate phenomenon resoled in both positive and negative changes in a society. Fourth, policies for economical supports for raising children, establishing social atmosphere for gender equality, and trustful public educational systems were the political alternatives that people really wanted for having a child in the future. Effective alternatives for policies and strategies to address the low fertility rate problems are suggested in the discussion section.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.65
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• pp.55-80
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• 2021

This study attempted to find a Christian religious alternative to the seriousness of the problem of low birth rate which has become a national and social problem, and its alternative. Korea is a low birth rate country. The phenomenon of low birth rate and childbirth avoidance is a reality that not only are national problems but also Korean churches are experiencing serious problems, and will continue to affect them. It will affect the church in four major ways. First, is a sharp decline in the number of members. Second, is the decline of Sunday schools. Third, various family problems and generational conflicts will arise. And it brings problems such as a crisis of faith among members. Young people living today have an unconventional attitude toward marriage, childbirth, and parenting. But for Christians, childbirth is a way of living in that God blessed us to "be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth." In other words, childbirth must be recognized as a blessing from God, not a human decision. Therefore, we must know how precious the fetus is in front of God and that it is a precious life. Thus, we should be interested in how to nurture the life God has given. To do so the church's role is education is to shape the value of life from a biblical perspective. Therefore the church needs to see how the Christian faith of young and married couples who are about to marry, give birth, and raise children, affects the childbirth and rearing of children. And it is necessary to study what the role of church and Christian education is to solve the problem of low birth rate and to suggest alternatives. For this study, we will first identify the factors of low birth rate. Then we will confirm childbirth and the blessing of God through the Bible. Finally, the role of the church in low birth rate and educational alternatives will be presented.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.300-305
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• 2005

As the current level of birth rate of Korea has dramatically declined, it is obvious that pediatric dentistry will also be affected by this change. This study was performed for the purpose of understanding on the current fertility levels of Korea. The formal data on the number of live births(NLB), crude birth rate(CBR), and total fertility rate(TFR) published annually from the National Statistical Office of Korea from 1992 to 2000 were used as materials for this study. The TFR values from 1990 to 2002 of Korea were compared with those of some western countries with similar history of decreased birth and the CBR values of the metropolitan cities and the capital city Seoul in 2003 were compared domestically, yielding to results as follows. 1. Recent birth rate of Korea was decreased continuously. NLB was about 490,000 CBR was 10.2 and TFR was 1.19. 2. TFR of Korea in 2002 was 1.17, the lowest in the world. 3. There was a large difference in the NLB and CBR between local prefectures and towns of Seoul domestically. Additional population studies and medico-economical studies to exactly predict the demands of pediatric dentistry and proper supplies of manpower in the future was thought urgently required.