Parenting is both a blessing and a long, arduous journey. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — Parents raising twins in South Korea face significantly heavier childcare burdens than those raising a single child, with nearly 40 percent reporting they have no one to turn to during emergencies, according to a new survey released Sunday.
The Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association (KoPHWA) surveyed 718 parents of twins and higher-order multiples in September and found that only 18.5 percent believed the country provides a supportive environment for raising twins.
A striking 39.4 percent said no caregiver was available in urgent situations. Among the 60.6 percent who did have help, an overwhelming majority — 93.7 percent — relied on grandparents or other relatives. Only 3.4 percent used public childcare services such as government-funded sitters.
Childcare centers and kindergartens were cited as the most essential support facilities (55.2 percent), followed by local childcare support centers and community infrastructure such as kids cafés and cultural programs.
Mothers remain the primary caregivers in twin households, accounting for 75.6 percent, compared with 9.6 percent for grandparents and 9.1 percent for fathers.
Financial pressure emerged as the most significant source of stress, reported by 67.3 percent of respondents. Among cost categories, childcare and education expenses were the most burdensome (45.3 percent), followed by food (23.3 percent), housing (13.9 percent) and medical care (11.7 percent).
Asked which policies would most improve their daily lives, parents pointed to stronger flexible-work arrangements that allow for more caregiving at home (37.5 percent), increased financial support (34.4 percent) and expansion of public childcare services (28.1 percent).
Many said they personally needed greater financial assistance and better work-life balance systems tailored to families with multiples.
Parental leave was the most widely used support program, with 68.4 percent taking advantage of it. But emotional strain was also widespread: 27.3 percent said they were unsure whether they could be “good parents,” while 44.1 percent felt distressed when their children exhibited emotional instability, believing they were personally at fault. Nearly one in five said they lacked any emotional support network.
Lee Sam-sik, head of the association, said the findings highlight the need for targeted support for families raising twins. The association plans to work with its “Twin Families Happiness Network” to expand assistance programs.
A national forum on twin-parenting policy will be held at the National Assembly on Nov. 24 to discuss building a stronger institutional framework for supporting families with multiples.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
