미혼 청년의 동거의향, 결혼의향, 출산의향에 따른 잠재유형 및 유형별 특성

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to identify the latent profiles of unmarried Korean young adults’ intentions to cohabit (either without considering getting married or as a process of marriage), to marry, and to have a child. We also investigated the predictors of the profile membership with a particular emphasis on the young adults’ perceptions of emerging adulthood. Using a sample of 1,119 never-married, childless young adults aged 19-34 years, our latent profile analysis classified four latent profiles based on the levels of their intentions to cohabit, to marry, and to have a child: (a) Intimacy Seekers (51.1%), (b) Partnership Seekers (33.8%), (c) Intimacy Avoiders (8.6%), and (d) Traditional Norm Followers (6.4%). Intimacy Seekers were individuals with strong intentions to cohabit, to marry, and to have a child. Partnership Seekers were young adults who inclined toward cohabitation and marriage but exhibited low intentions to have a child. Those who perceived the current life stage as an opportunity for “identity explorations” were more likely to be categorized as Intimacy Seekers than Intimacy Avoiders and Partnership Seekers. Those who felt they were “in-between” were more likely to be classified as Intimacy Avoiders and Traditional Norm Followers than Intimacy Seekers. This study contributes to the literature by offering insights into the heterogeneity among unmarried Korean young adults.