Childcare Options in South Korea: Experiences and Perceptions of Female College Faculty

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions of 203 female college/university faculty members about childcare policies in South Korea. All of the respondents had experience with childcare; most were aware of the option of maternity leave (89.7%), and many had taken such leave (43.3%). Regarding postchildbirth leave for childcare purposes (parental leave), 39.4% were aware of the option and only 6.9% had used such leave. The childcare needs of most respondents were met by relatives and private-hire services (e.g., nannies), whereas daycare facilities were considered unreliable. Most of the women reported that their spouses considered childcare the woman’s responsibility; this low paternal childcare involvement was attributed to husbands having high workloads, low degrees of childcare knowledge, unsupportive workplace cultures, and increased financial pressures. Societal and workplace cultures had great impact on the use of childcare policies. These findings provide insight into the current childcare status in South Korea and could support development of new family-friendly workplace initiatives.