다문화가족 자녀 양육 및 지원 실태와 요구

Abstract

In order to generate sufficient preliminary data, this study examined the current status of childcare and related values as they pertain to the children of multicultural families and analyzed both the needs and benefits of programs related to their childcare. To provide adequate policy recommendations for the future, basic data on families were collected and analyzed from the statistical data provided by relevant government sources, as well as other information from online database. Secondly, the survey was conducted in order to investigate the circumstances of childcare as it takes place in multicultural families and their perceptions on the programs, benefits, and outcomes of childcare, as well as needs, etc. Thirdly, the person-in-charge of home visit training, home visit instructors, and married immigrants with young children or elementary school-age children were interviewed in depth. Lastly, consultative meetings were held in order to explore the feasibility and applicability of policy alternatives.

The research results were analyzed in accordance with (1) the characteristics of multicultural families, (2) their current use of and expectations of childcare support institutions, and (3) their current use of and demands in terms of support services.

The analyses demonstrated the characteristics of these families to be of generally a large size with many children, and also found them to be economically vulnerable with the immigrant parent generally having a lower level of education. There was also some lack in social networks which the immigrant mother could rely upon for child-rearing and in meetings with immigrants of the same ethnicity. The family reported to rarely enjoy a cultural style of living. Despite the fact that the immigrant mother had a number of positive effects on her children, she expressed some confusion in child-rearing and deep concerns for the future of her children.

Regarding the current use of and expectations of childcare support institutions for the family, the results suggested the need for publicizing and informing such families of the existence of fully funded childcare and education programs, developing programs supporting the emotional and language development targeting these young children, and creating preparatory programs prior to elementary school admission to help improve school-adjustment. As for the current use of and demands of multicultural family-support services, our results indicated a need for publicizing these programs and projects and a great desire for new services to include field trips and hands-on learning experiences. For the future services for these children, academic tutors, free home visit workbooks, and continued support and management were requested. Based on these results, the following policies were proposed:

First, establishing a consultative body having its center within the Multicultural Family Support Centers and reinforcement of their infrastructure was suggested. Promoting their projects and reconsidering their accessibility was also suggested. Additionally, the reassessment of their current function of furnishing information, a system for reinforcing visiting-services, and maintaining quality-standards of their programs is required.

Secondly, a policy to reinforce projects supporting the development of children of multicultural families was suggested. More specifically, it was suggested that preparatory programs for elementary schools and strengthening the support mechanisms in the areas of children's learning, socialization and emotionalization, dual language education, and utilization of the facilities are needed.

Thirdly, a policy to strengthen the parental support system was advanced as a suggestion. Supporting those programs aimed at enhancing parenting competence, countenance for married-immigrants, and multicultural family counseling projects are also required. Improvement in the provision of Korean language classes, the expansion of opportunities for vocational training, and other types of education are also very pressing concerns.