A child care class for grandparents. (image: Uiwang City Office)
SEOUL, Jul. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study has revealed that 8 out of 10 people who help take care of toddlers at home are their grandparents, mostly from their mother’s side.
More than half of them are known to take care of the babies without any form of financial compensation.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Sunday, 16.3 percent of all children were being taken care of by their grandparents, caretakers, and other individuals.
There were more caretakers concentrated in large cities (19.2 percent), and when there was a working mom in the family (28.7 percent).
Grandparents and other family members accounted for as much as 88.4 percent of all caretakers for children.
Among the respondents, 38.5 percent said they regularly pay their family members for childcare, while 48.9 percent said they don’t.
“Many family members take care of the children without any form of financial compensation,” said the ministry.
“There need to be various measures in place to compensate for the expense, time, and health of senior citizens taking care of their grandchildren.”
Parents who financially support their family members for taking care of their children were known to pay around 700,000 won (US$593) each month, which is a sharp rise from 290,000 won in 2012 and 620,000 won in 2015.
Families with working mothers were known to obtain help from family members to take care of their children while they are away at work.
“A company-level labor policy should be implemented to allow parents to easily access the labor market without having to rely on their family or other individuals,” said the ministry.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
