KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

Profile of childless couples in Korea

and related implications for family policy

 

In-Hee Choi
Eun-Ji Kim
Sang-Lim Lee
Da-Eun Jung

Alongside shifts in related family values, Korean society has been undergoing significant changes in the functioning of the family and in family structures. Consequently, the number of non-traditional family types, such as childless couples and single-parent families, is expected to increase over the near future. However, childless couples have received relatively little policy or academic attention in Korea. The purposes of the current study are to 1) estimate the number of childless couples in Korea and compare their characteristics to couples with children, and 2) explore their characteristics and family life in terms of examining the motives underlying their childlessness and the related decision-making process, overall spousal and family relationships, life satisfaction, and preparedness for old age. The operational definition of childless couples applied here was married individuals aged 30 and older who currently have no child (including stepchildren and adopted children).

Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized in this study. The following secondary data sets were analyzed in order to estimate the number of childless couples and compared their socioeconomic characteristics and family life to those of couples with children: The 2000, 2005, and 2010 Population Housing Census (Statistics Korea, 2000, 2005, 2010); the 2009 and 2012 National Survey on Fertility, Family Health & Welfare in Korea (KIHASA, 2009, 2012); and 2014 Time Use Survey (Statistics Korea, 2015). In addition, 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with childless women and men in order to examine their family values, decision making process regarding not having a child, spousal and family relationships, prospects for marital stability and quality, and preparedness for old age.

According to the 2000, 2005, 2010 Population Housing Census analysis, the number of childless couples in Korea increased modestly from 2000 to 2010. Still, childless couples comprise 1% of the total population. In addition, voluntarily childless couples in Korea have lower educational attainment, household income levels, and life satisfaction compared to couples with children, which may explain that they are likely to have gone without children due to structural issues rather than as a result of personal values (i.e., pursuit of self-fulfillment). Likewise, a large proportion of childless couples in the 2012 National Survey on Fertility, Family Health & Welfare in Korea reported that they were unable to become parents due to infertility and/or health issues. Such findings reflect the fact that intentional/voluntary childlessness is still a relatively unusual choice in Korea. In addition, the 2014 Time Use Survey analysis shows that childless couples aged between 30 and 45 have relatively higher educational attainment, yet lower household income, housing stability, and life satisfaction. Moreover, childless women spend less time on household labor and care work, and spend more time on work and leisure activities compared to their peers with children. Such findings are consistent with previous research in that child-free relationships are found to be more likely to be egalitarian in nature (Baber & Dreyer, 1986).

Results from the in-depth interviews show that many childless couples have no children due to health issues (i.e., infertility, physical impediments) and to the social environment (i.e., childrearing cost, economic constraints), and few childless couples reported that they made an unconstrained choice to be child-free. In addition, many childless couples reported that their decision-making regarding becoming parents underwent a number of fluctuations over time, and tension and strain were created in their relationships throughout the process. In particular, a significant number of female participants who were
nearing or who had reached the end of their reproductive lifespan expressed a strong fear that not having a child could impact their later marital stability. Likewise, those who had attempted assisted reproductive technologies stated that the costs associated with such procedures and the stress involved were/are very
high and demanding. Thus, the government should expand support policies for infertile families.

Secondly, with regard to overall life and spousal relationship satisfaction, a significant number of participants reported being quite satisfied with their current lifestyle in that a childfree life includes multiple advantages such as enhanced freedom from child-care responsibilities, greater opportunities for self-fulfillment, and material security. In addition, some participants reported that due to spending more time with their partners, their marriages involve greater interaction than do those of parents. However, some participants reported not having a strong partnership with their spouse and related that this may affect their marital stability over time. Therefore, given the fact that current family support programs largely target parent-child relationships, family support programs, including educational programs, should be developed for childless couples.

Thirdly, most participants, especially female participants, stated that they encountered pressure regarding parenthood from a variety of sources (e.g., family, friends, and significant others), and faced a degree of disapproval from friends and family. Therefore, public acceptance and understanding for the various types of non-traditional families, including childless families, should be heightened.

Lastly, a significant number of participants stated that they consider themselves to be better prepared for their financial needs in old age compared to couples with children. Still, almost all participants reported that they expect to have fewer social and emotional ties and a higher risk of social isolation in their old age compared to parent couples, especially when their spouse passes away. Thus, most participants requested that long-term care policies as well as the home and community-based elderly care system be strengthened in the near future.