• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.459-469
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• 2018

This is a qualitative study to research the meaning and essence of life of old women living alone collecting waste paper in their experiences of daily life. Targeting seven old women who have kept collecting waste paper for a long time, data was collected through preliminary research and in-depth interview. In the results of analyzing in accordance with Colaizzi(1978)'s phenomenological analysis method, total 18 themes and five theme-groups were drawn. The five theme-groups related to the experience of old women collecting waste paper included 'tough time-I have gone through', 'continuity of tough life', 'continuously bearing', 'adjusting to street environmental changes', and 'proactive and active life of mine-current myself'. In summary, the essence of life of old women collecting waste paper was interpreted as 'acceptance'. Thus, the institutional/practical intervention measures for the social welfare of old women collecting waste paper were suggested.