• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.651-657
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• 2024

This study comparatively analyzed the impact of childcare workforce cost on fertility rates across different countries. In the cases of Nordic countries, comprehensive childcare support policies and subsidies for childcare workforce costs were found to have a positive impact on fertility rates. In contrast, high childcare burden and economic pressures were identified as major factors contributing to declining fertility rates in East Asian countries. In developing countries, the effectiveness of childcare support policies varied depending on the socioeconomic context. This study suggests that the impact of childcare workforce cost on fertility rates manifests in diverse patterns across countries, and effective childcare support policies require tailored approaches that consider each country's specific circumstances. In the future, increased social investment in childcare and the spread of a culture that respects the value of care are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.197-221
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the child care support policies and the birth rate in 33 OECD countries. In the structural equation modelling, the birth rate was the dependent variable while the cash-support policies, the child-care facility service policies, and the tax benefits policies were the independent variables. The analysis showed that the most effective factor on the birth rate was the child-care facility service policies. Regarding the effectiveness of the policy expenses, the cash-support policies showed stable fluctuation of effectiveness according to the fluctuation of cash amount, the child-care facility service policies. In conclusion, in order to increase the effectiveness of the cash-support policies, the adequate cost calculation to decrease the parents' burden for child-bearing, re-allocation of budget, and support methods and timing should be continually discussed. In addition, for the better effectiveness of the facility service policies, more various, comprehensive and high-quality facility service policies that could balance home and work, should be implemented.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.67-93
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• 2016

This study investigated the attitudes toward childbearing and the need for policies supporting childcare according to the mothers' employment status. Data from 6 employed and 6 unemployed housewives with 1 child were collected using in-depth interviews. The main results from the data analysis comprised 4 themes: 1. the ideal and the real about childbearing; 2. changed experiences after bearing the first child; 3. the meaning of parenting; and 4. husband's division of household/caring labor. A difference between employed and unemployed housewives was founded in their attitude toward childbearing. Furthermore, it was verified that the respondents were not satisfied with present policies and services for childbearing and childcare and they required existing policies to be more effective. The implications for related polices are suggested on the basis of these findings.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-163
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• 2016

This study reviews and analyzes the current status and conditions of child-rearing issues related to single-parent families and pinpoints related problems. It undertakes for single-parent families with children in elementary and middle schools to determine limitations that prevent single-parent families from obtaining in existing policies and legislation. The study introduces policy guidelines to ensure childcare for single-parent families. The results are follows. First, the basic policies supporting single-parent families should be broadened to include not only low-income, single-parent families but also higher-income, single-parent families, which would allow all such families to be given first priority at childcare centers. Second, to resolve discrimination and prejudice toward single-parent families, articles about education and single-parent families should be included in the Single-Parent Support Act. Third, substantial and customized support policies tailored to the growth-stages of children are needed. Fourth, programs to improve the relationship between children and single parents should be developed and promoted. Finally, various family types, such as single-father or multi-cultural single-parent families, must be considered.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.95-111
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• 2012

This study investigated the pathways of factors affecting 173 employed mothers' second childbirth plans. Participants were all employed working mothers with an infant under 10 months old. The hypothetical model used in this research proposed that workplace childcare support, social support, value of children and parenting stress of employed mothers will directly affect second childbirth plans. Additionally, workplace childcare support, social support, value of children, marital satisfaction and job satisfaction will indirectly influence second childbirth plans as a result of parenting stress. The results of this research demonstrated that value of children and parenting stress were the factors which directly affected second childbirth plans of employed mothers. In addition, workplace childcare support, social support, marital satisfaction and job satisfaction indirectly influenced second childbirth plans as a result of parenting stress. This study suggests the need for the establishment and development of workplace childcare support and the need for enhancing the value of children. This research further suggests the need for policies aimed at increasing psychological well-being and decreasing parenting stress for working mothers who are contemplating second childbirth plans.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.219-237
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• 2020

Objective: The research aimed to help understand the lives of those living in today's Korean society by analyzing the positionality of experienced childcare teachers, and to obtain relevant policy implications. Methods: The participants were 111 childcare teachers with more than seven years of job experience. The metaphors expressing themselves were collected and implemented the metaphor analysis in terms of positionality. Results: First, the participants who recognized themselves as experts were positioned as teachers who cared for and taught children, as co-learners with children, and as leaders of junior teachers. Second, the participants who recognized themselves as minorities were positioned as non-subjects, and as oppressed persons who had to obey in the lower levels of the organizational system of childcare centers. Third, the participants who recognized themselves as marginal persons were positioned as problem solvers, and as border-crossers who conflict and adjust in complex relationships. Conclusion/Implications: Based on the results, the following policy suggestions were made. First, policies must be expressed in public language that respect childcare teachers as a key worker in society; second, the job policies must be shifted toward employment security of childcare teachers. Third, substantial support for labor costs for childcare teachers should be expanded.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.107-124
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to analyze parents' perception of the suitability of the 'Childcare Support Center (C.S.C.)' and the 'Early Childhood Education Promotion Institute(E.C.E.P.I)' as home care support service providers. Methods: The goals and content of the home parenting support service offered by the C.S.C. and E.C.E.P.I. were analyzes based on information collected from their websites, publications, and various promotional materials. There were categories into 18 services across 5 categories. Responses of 421 parents, gathered through a questionnaire developed with reference to previous studies, were collected and analyzed. Results: Parents reported high degree of suitability for the organizations they used. Those familiar with both institutions found E.C.E.P.I. more suitable overall. However the C.S.C. was considered particularity suitable by parents of children aged 0-2 years and by those with no prior experience with either institution. The perceived suitability of the two institutions varied by service, depending on factors such as the age group of the children, whether the parents lived in the metropolitan area, and whether they were part of a double-income household. Conclusion/Implications: These findings have practical implications for development of integrated policies for early childhood education and childcare, which should take into account parents' perceptions of the functions of institutions.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2020

Recognizing the importance of early childhood education, the government is preparing measures at the national level, including expanding the scope of free education for infants, linking early childhood education to elementary schools, unifying the system in charge of early childhood education, printing the cost of operating a full-time system for double-income couples, and policies for low-income infants. In Korea's childcare policy, the need for childcare has increased due to the increase of free double-income couples, the increase of nuclear families, and the increase of divorce rates. Despite the overall increase in the child care budget, Korea's child care policy shows many problems in its efficiency due to the burden of childcare facilities and childcare fees for caregivers. After looking into the theoretical contents of the free childcare policy and the corresponding child care support policy, we would like to consider ways to improve the free childcare policy.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.140-152
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• 2024

Purpose: Social support is essential for postpartum well-being, but little is known about the postpnatal social support preferred by primiparous women. This study aimed to comprehensively understand and describe the meaning of postnatal social support experience in primiparous women. Methods: The participants were seven primiparous women who were within 1 year after childbirth, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling from an online parenting community. The data were collected through in-depth interviews from November 14 to 28, 2022. Participants were interviewed face-to-face or via phone or online platform, according to their choice. Colaizzi's phenomenological qualitative research method was applied to analyze the meaning of the participants' experience. Results: Five theme clusters and fourteen themes were identified from the data. The five theme clusters are as follows: (1) Shortcomings of the childbirth and postpartum care system I learned through my experience; (2) Government policies focusing on childbirth and child-rearing rather than postpartum recovery; (3) Driving force of postpartum recovery: Shared childbirth process; (4) Childcare on my own; and (5) Conflicted between being a stay-at-home mom and a working mom under inadequate maternity protection policies. Conclusion: Despite postpartum support from the government that was perceived as inadequate, first-time mothers regained confidence and motivation for parenting with the help of family, peers, and social networks. First-time mothers need support from professionals and reliable online communities for postpartum recovery and parenting.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.101-125
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• 2013

Recently family policy and social policy have focused on the balance between the work and family of working parents. The purpose of this study is to analyze the status of the work-life balance of married working women. For this purpose the eight married working women who care for 1 or more pre-school child(ren) were interviewed. The questionnaire used was consisted of 4 themes : 1) child care, 2) working situation, 3) the work-life balance and 4) the need to improve related policies. Through the interviews and data analysis we found the following : 1) Accessibility to educarecenter was considered the most important factor for working moms when they choose an educarecenter. In order to improve accessibility of educarecenters we have to install more educarecenters with various level. 2) All respondents look maternity leave and they evaluated that other services were very weak in terms of quality, usefulness and accessibility. 3) Many childcare services aid in creating work and family balance, however they are not effective. Therefore future policies should focus on providing more options for working women for appropriate services according to childcare needs, working conditions and preferences.