4차 산업혁명 및 지능정보사회의 사회적 위험과 복지 패러다임 전환 필요성

Abstract

이 보고서는 코로나19가 가져온 사회·경제적 파장과 그 결과가 개인과 가족에 미친 영향을 탐색해보고, 이러한 사회·경제적 위험과 사회통합 간의 관계를 가늠함으로써 정책적 함의와 시사점을 얻고자 하는 데 그 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 사회·경제적 위기와 사회통합 간의 관계에 관한 사회조사(‘사회․경제적 위기와 사회통합 실태조사’)를 실시하고 그 결과를 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 코로나19 발생 이후 행복도, 삶의 만족도는 낮아지고 우울도는 높아졌다. 사회통합 인식과 사회전반의 신뢰도는 높아졌지만 사회적 지지와 사회자본 수준은 낮아졌다. 불평등을 더 크게 인식할수록 신뢰수준이 낮을수록 위험인식이 높았다. 반면, 사회응집력 수준이 높을수록, 신뢰수준이 높을수록 코로나19에 대한 대응력이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 재난 상황에서 사회통합과 응집력을 높이기 위한 좀 더 적극적이고 포용적인 지원 방안이 강구될 필요가 있다.

The purpose of this study is to explore the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 and its effects on individuals and families, and to obtain policy implications by estimating the relationship between socioeconomic risks and social cohesion. For the purposes, this study conducted social surveys on the socioeconomic crises and the social cohesion, and analyzed the results thereof. The analysis results are as follows: First, subjective happiness and life satisfaction decreased compared to those before the outbreak of the COVID-19, while depression increased. In particular, life satisfaction and depression showed significant fluctuations compared to 2019. In general upon the COVID-19, 31.4% of households experienced an income decrease, and 17.9% lost more than 30% of their income. 73% of the self-employed experienced a decrease in their income due to the COVID-19, and 46.3% of them reported a significant income decrease by over 30%. It seems to be related to the particularly significant changes in life satisfaction and depression of the self-employed. Second, it was confirmed that the overall awareness of social cohesion and social trust greatly increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. National pride, social cohesion, and trust level were significantly improved in general. In contrast to the rising of overall perception of social cohesion since the outbreak of COVID-19 social support and social capital at the micro level showed little change or a lower level. In particular, a significant decline in the social support could be observed in the young and the middle-aged, economically inactive population, the 2nd to 5th income quintile, the lower-middle classes, and the middle classes. Third, the level of risk perception increased in 2021 compared to 2017. In particular, the health-related risk was evaluated the highest due to the COVID-19. Analyses of the risk perception factors could reveal that women and the low-income group perceived risks more compared to men and the middle and higher class groups. Also, the greater the perception of inequality and the lower the level of trust they felt, the higher the risk perception was. Fourth, more than 59.3% of the respondents thought that they could be the target of discrimination due to the COVID-19 at least once. Also, it was found that social trust and government trust had a significant effect on the possibility of discrimination. Men were less likely to be discriminated than women, and those under middle school graduation were less likely than college graduates. On the other hand, the 35~64-year-olds showed a higher potential for discrimination than the 65-year-olds or older, the 1st income quintile than the 5th quintile, and the monthly rent tenants than the homeowners. Fifth, it was confirmed that the degree of community cohesion had a positive effect on all of the government trust, compliance with the rules of life, personal life outlook, and socioeconomic outlook, even when both demographic and economic variables were controlled. In addition, it was found that people with abundant social capital for helping others in a variety of situations are following the rules for maintaining a daily life against the COVID-19 and have a relatively optimistic outlook on the life after the COVID-19. Lastly, the social support level in 2021 decreased in all the age groups compared to 2017, and in particular, the decrease in social support in their 30s was greater than in other age groups. Social support decreased in the upper middle class (upper class), middle class, and lower middle class, but increased in the lower income class. Suicidal ideation hardly changed in the 50s and decreased in the 60s and 30s, but increased in the 40s. Male’s suicidal ideation remained at a similar level, while female’s increased, and that of the middle and lower middle classes slightly increased, while the upper middle class decreased slightly, but the lower class decreased significantly compared to other classes. While suicidal ideation increased among the residents in the non-metropolitan areas, those in the metropolitan areas decreased. And while that of the rural residents remained at a similar level, urban residents increased significantly. In order to enhance social and community cohesion in a nationwide disaster situation, it is necessary to develop more active financial resources and support measures for directly affected groups in terms of social solidarity. Also, in the stage of daily life recovery, measures should be discussed how to enhance the inclusiveness and appropriateness of the overall social policies. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the overall alert systems and the protection systems relating to mental health. In particular, in the modern society with ever-weakening community networks, necessary measures should be sought to diversify public and private networks with easier accessibility.