A staggering 24% of dual-income families in Seoul experience symptoms of depression. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jun. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – A staggering 24% of dual-income families in Seoul experience symptoms of depression, according to a new study by the Seoul Research Institute.
Working mothers and fathers struggle with insufficient societal and institutional support for child-rearing and caregiving responsibilities.
Alarmingly, 15.8% of unmarried youths in Seoul within the optimal marriage age range expressed no intention to marry, reflecting a grim outlook on their prospects.
The institute released an infographic titled “The Current State of Working Moms and Dads in Seoul,” based on the 2023 Seoul Parenting Survey and an analysis of surveys on parenting conditions, mental health, and parenting stress among families with children aged 0-9 in the city.
The survey of 555 dual-income couples in Seoul revealed that 23.6% have experienced feelings of depression. Additionally, 20.8% reported insomnia, 15.8% experienced anxiety, and a concerning 8.6% had suicidal thoughts.
When asked about work-life balance over the past three months, 43.7% of working mothers and 38.8% of working fathers admitted to sometimes forgetting their life goals due to being overwhelmed by work.
Three out of 10 working parents continue to worry about work even after leaving the office.
The study found that working mothers spent relatively more time on household chores and child care (3.4 hours), while working fathers devoted more hours to their jobs and economic activities (8.9 hours, compared to 7.5 hours for mothers).
The institute observed a concerning trend: as working mothers’ caregiving responsibilities increased, so did their rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Both working mothers and fathers had only about 1.4 and 1.5 hours per day, respectively, for personal activities and rest.
When asked about work-life balance over the past three months, 43.7% of working mothers and 38.8% of working fathers admitted to sometimes forgetting their life goals due to being overwhelmed by work. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
Regarding parental leave, 30.3% of working mothers and 46.4% of working fathers aged 20-64 with children aged 0-9 reported an unsupportive workplace atmosphere, suggesting many still face societal pressures.
More than half (53.1%) of working mother households cited “care gaps” as a significant challenge in parenting.
Against this backdrop, a startling 15.8% of unmarried youths within the optimal marriage age range in Seoul stated they have no intention of marrying in the future.
Seoul’s annual marriage rate plummeted to 36,324 in 2023, more than halving from 70,466 in 2010. The city’s total fertility rate stood at a mere 0.55 last year, indicating the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.
The institute emphasized the need for early intervention, accurately diagnosing parenting stress and mental health issues from the postpartum period to prevent further deterioration.
It also recommended developing diverse “healing” programs, including leisure and physical activities, to alleviate parenting stress and mental health challenges.
Ultimately, the institute stressed the importance of shifting societal perceptions away from the notion that mothers are primarily responsible for child-rearing and promoting a culture where both parents share caregiving duties – a crucial step toward ensuring the well-being of families.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
