Nearly half of the pregnant women surveyed reported experiencing negative attitudes from their superiors and colleagues at work during their pregnancy. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – In a recent study conducted by the Korea Population Health and Welfare Association, nearly half of the pregnant women surveyed reported experiencing negative attitudes from their superiors and colleagues at work during their pregnancy.
The survey, which included responses from 1,000 pregnant women and 1,000 non-pregnant individuals, highlighted the challenges faced by expectant mothers in the workplace and at home in South Korea.
According to the results of the survey, 43.9% of the employed respondents indicated that the most negative experience they faced at work was the unwelcoming attitude of their superiors and colleagues.
Furthermore, a significant 34.5% of women reported a lack of understanding and support for their physical and emotional changes during pregnancy within their households.
The survey also shed light on the difficulties encountered in the workplace due to physical changes, with 21.6% of respondents stating this as a major challenge. When asked about improvements needed in the workplace, 20.6% pointed out the necessity for better rest facilities and break times for pregnant employees.
Pregnant women emphasized the need for adjustments in commute times (40.5%) and a change to safer work environments (19.8%) as the most crucial forms of consideration at work. Interestingly, these needs were reflected in the actual support received, with 31.4% reporting adjustments in commute times and 22.2% experiencing a change to safer job roles.
In the family setting, the most needed support was identified as sharing household chores (36.8%), followed by emotional support from spouses and extended family (19.7%). The survey found that the most common form of support received at home aligned with these needs, with household chore sharing leading at 41.3%, and emotional support from family following at 23.6%.
A striking 58.9% of respondents indicated that exposure to smoking on the streets was the most negative experience they encountered in public during their pregnancy.
The survey also revealed a discrepancy between the perceived and actual levels of consideration for pregnant women. While 85.1% of the general public claimed to have shown consideration for pregnant women, only 63% of pregnant women reported receiving help or care from strangers during their pregnancy.
Among those who did not receive support, 50.8% attributed it to their pregnancy not being visibly noticeable.
Public transportation emerged as a critical area for support, with 43.3% of pregnant women stating that they most frequently received consideration in the form of seat offerings.
The survey also highlighted the use of designated seats for pregnant women in public transport, with 86.8% of respondents reporting they had used such seats. However, 42.2% of those who used these seats found them challenging to access.
The general public showed a positive attitude towards supporting pregnant women, with 80.8% stating they would not occupy a seat reserved for pregnant women even if it was empty, and 73.6% agreeing that keeping these seats vacant was a good practice.
Both pregnant women and the general public rated the level of consideration for pregnant women similarly, with scores of 63.0 and 64.0, respectively. This marks an increase from a year earlier, suggesting a growing awareness and practice of support for expectant mothers.
Both groups also agreed that awareness and education about consideration for pregnant women in schools and workplaces should be prioritized.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
