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Video Description

Type: KIHASA Policy Featurette

Topic: Non-marital cohabitation, non-marital childbirth, non-marital families ... Social recognition is needed

Guest Speaker: Byun Soo-jeong, Research Fellow, KIHASA

Transcript

In Korean society, where the institution of marriage has traditionally been considered sacrosanct, the family consisting of a married couple and their children has long been seen as the ideal, and often the only acceptable, form of family. Consequently, alternative family structures that deviate from this conventional model have often been met with negative perceptions and even discrimination. In such an environment, cohabiting couples have had little incentive to openly disclose their partnerships, which makes it difficult to gather data on them. Hopefully, an environment should be created in the future that makes it easier to identify and collect information on this group.

Moreover, cohabitation is not limited to heterosexual couples. Elderly individuals, young adults and same-sex couples may choose to live together. If we consider global changes and trends together, it is important to recognize diverse forms of relationships and establish systems to protect them. Only then can we move toward a society with more advanced policies and institutions, without creating new forms of discrimination.