예비부모교육 실태와 내실화 방안 연구

Abstract

The study aims to provide measures to improve and promote education of adolescents and young adults who will take the role of parents in near future. It does so by studying the current status, contents, participation, and other factors at play in such educational programs as they exist now. Further measures to improve such programs include analyzing the findings according to the variables such as gender, age group, and region; and identifying issues, demands, and also identifying room for improvement. The study surveyed a number of diverse subjects including teenagers, college students, single adults, and high-school teachers. Below are some of the key points of the study.

First, the study conducted a theoretical study on the concept, necessity, and effects of the pre-parenting education.

Second, the study researched the types and operational status of relevant educational programs for pre-parenting education.

Third, the study surveys teenagers, college students, single adults, and others in order to better understand the current status, progress, and needs of such education programs.

Fourth, the study suggests supporting and operational measures for educational programs for expectant parents according to age group and gender. Measures to improve the quality of such education programs, such as including related programs in the high-school and college curriculum, were also presented.

The study adopted the following research methodologies:

The study analyzed high-school textbooks, materials on the existing educational programs, as well as preceding studies.

The study interviewed the heads and staffs from institutions that provide educational programs for expectant parents (e.g., Health Family Support Centers), participants of existing programs (e.g., related college courses and high-school classes), high-school teachers of home economics and industrial arts, and high-school/college students. Meetings with experts were also held.

The authors also conducted a nation-wide survey, which took age group and regional distribution into consideration, to the targets of the education and employees of the related organizations. A survey was conducted with 936 college students and 770 high-school students of the six provinces of the nation, 269 teachers of 16 cities, 237 unmarried adults, and 373 instructors and directors of related college courses.

The research data reveals that education programs for adolescents and young adults are being provided via a variety of channels, including high-schools and colleges, Health Family Support Centers supported by the government, NGOs, supporting institutions, religious groups, private counseling centers, and community centers. However, it points out that public's voluntary participation is low. The survey shows that the majority of college students and teachers believe that it is "extremely necessary" to provide related education to high-school students. It also shows that the overall respondents believe that the education of expectant parents will help participants become better parents. The study concludes that it is necessary to enhance the public's access to the education of expectant parents by developing policies that can provide more opportunities for such education. The study also argues that structural and institutionalized support for promoting the education of expectant parents should be implemented. The study further suggests that high-school students are at the right age for such education; the study recommends introducing related courses as part of the regular high-school curriculum. To this end, ample course materials should be prepared, and course schedules should be adjusted. The study also recommends consideration of adopting related courses as compulsory general courses for colleges. For the education of adults, it is necessary to provide them with better access to related educational programs and increase promotional efforts.