육아행복 국제비교 연구: 삶의 질 조사 중심으로

Abstract

□ 최근 사회 가치관의 변화로 인해 육아에 대한 부정적 인식이 확산되고 있으며, 다수의 연구에서 출산은 부모의 스트레스의 수준을 높이고 심리적 웰빙을 저하시키는 것으로 보고되었음

□ 사회 구성원의 인식과 가치관의 변화가 나타났기 때문에, 출산과 양육지원 정책의 방향성에 대해서 고민이 필요한 시점임

□ 우리나라 출산·육아 가구의 삶의 질과 관련된 문제점과 개선점을 정확하게 진단하고 양육지원 및 가족 정책의 방향성을 도출하는 것이 필요한 상황임

□ 본 연구는 EU의 삶의 질 지표를 토대로 한국 부모의 삶의 질의 수준을 국제비교를 통해 알아보고 자녀 양육 시기의 부모의 행복, 삶의 질을 진단하고 양육 지원 정책을 포함한 가족정책 전반의 개선점을 찾는 것이 목적임

The purpose of the current study was to investigate parents’ happiness and quality of life in Korea through international comparison and to suggest ideas for improving family policies that build a decent society for parenting. We reviewed global indicators on the quality of life and previous studies on parents’ happiness, wellbeing, and stress. A survey for 300 households with children under 12 years old had been conducted. European Quality of Life Survey questionnaire was used to measure parents’ quality of life after translation into Korean. An international comparison of parents’ quality of life between Korea and EU nations was conducted. we conducted an in-depth interview for six married couples with children under 12 years old. Household income was the most influential factor in parents’ quality of life in Korea. A low-income household had lower subjective wellbeing, the standard of living, satisfaction on housing, education, and work-life balance which were variables related to parents’ quality of life than a high-income household. Women had lower level of subjective wellbeing, mental health than men. Korea has longer working hours than any other European nation. Korea’ ranking was 13th for GDP per capita, 31st for social spending rate, and 30th for fertility rate among Korea and 33 European nation. Korea ranked near the bottom for subjective wellbeing, the standard of living, health, housing, work-life balance, education, child care, social trust, equality of household work among 34 nations. Korea ranked above the middle of 34 nations for Accessibility to conveniences, health care, and public safety. According to additional analysis using social and economic indicators and sub-dimensions of quality of life for each nation, a correlation between social trust and fertility rate was only statistically significant. This result indicates that parents’ quality of life in Korea should increase through improving family polices. Especially, the Korean government should find a way to promote social trust and decrease working hour which has a decisive impact on parents’ quality of life. Welfare policies should be developed and improved for low-income families with children. Also, the Korean government and companies should endeavor to strengthen employment security and to help workers having children achieve work-life balance.