A Study on the Causal Relationship between Changes in Values and Childbirth

Abstract

◈ 후기산업화 시대의 출산의 의미 파악 ◈ 제특성별 출산관련 의식의 특성 ◈ 출산관련 의식과 출산율과의 인과관계 파악

Korea has rapidly entered into a low fertility and aging society. It not only decreases productivity in the economy, but also increases the dependency ratio in a society. To get over the current situation, Korean government as well as many researchers has been examining the reasons of low fertility suggesting various policies. We do not see, however, a substantial improvement in a birth rate. It is a time, therefore, to change the way we understand the low fertility phenomenon. Although they were considered as labor force in a pre-industrialized society, children are a source of satisfaction or happiness to their parents in an industrialized society. There is relatively plenty of room for the intervention of parents' values. In other words, values of individuals or couples has become a significant factor on childbirth decision-making, and changes of values, obviously, play a considerable role on childbirth. This study examines how changes of values affect childbirth in Korea between 2005 and 2009. We analyze twelve different groups using path analysis with socio-economic factors and value factors. The results reveal that socio-economic factors via value factors give significant effects on childbirth in unmarried persons' groups. More socio-economic factors affect childbirth via value factors in 2009 than 2005. It means that considering the changes of values is not to be ignored when we discuss on the reason of low fertility, and make policies for it. In conclusion, points to be considered for further policy establishments are that we need 1) a program for adolescents, who are the future of our society, to reestablish their values on population, meaning of family, gender equality, and so on, and 2) a strategy to cultivate the Value of Children(VoC) through campaigns.