• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.5-23
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting extra expenses incurred by extracurricular activities, prompted by the problem that the financial burden on households for their children's education and child-care is not showing enough signs of being mitigated, despite increased child-care subsidies from the government. Data for this study was obtained from the 4th Panel Study on Korean Children of Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. The analysis of the study shows that 68.5% of the surveyed children were participating in extracurricular activities and the average number of extracurricular activities they took part in was 2.9. The average extracurricular expenditure was 50.000 won. However, based on the findings of the survey, it was statistically significant to find that the number of extracurricular activities the children participated in and the expenditure the households spent on them varied by area. Variables were inserted in a gradual manner in identifying factors influencing households' expenditure on children's extracurricular activities. The results showed that amongst the variables used, the education level of the mother, the employment status of the mother, the type of the child-care support institution, and the household's place of residence featured prominently, with the place-of-residence factor accounting for most of the reason why a household spent the amount it did. The outcome of the study bears four policy implications: First, there is a need for a specific evaluation of the contents and costs of extracurricular activities and supervision and management of such activities. Second, it is necessary for the central government to provide a specific criteria of necessary expense. Third, throughout the child support agency, the courses and costs of special activities should be monitored regularly. Fourth, there should be extracurricular activity support for underprivileged children.