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Last Updated: May 10th, 2008 - 21:25:22 |
Measures Needed to Promote Adoption
Korea marked its first Adoption Day Thursday. It was designed to enhance people's awareness of the need to promote domestic adoption. The designation is considered significant here as the beginning of efforts to bring positive attitudes toward adoption, shaking off our reputation as a "baby-exporting" country.
The modern history of our country has been dotted with a variety of hardships, including the Korean War in 1950. While going through this difficult period, a lot of children were orphaned and most of them had little choice but to be adopted to foreign families as domestic families turned a blind eye toward them.
It was shameful to rely on overseas families for the adoption of orphans born to Korean parents. Economic hardships and lack of government support were considered major reasons making people here shun adoption. However, the biggest reason hampering adoption is a deep-rooted notion in our society that emphasizes blood ties.
The most pressing task now is the creation of a social environment accepting adoption as a matter of course among people here. Statistically, 41 percent of the 3,562 children adopted last year found their new parents in Korean families while the rest, nearly 60 percent, were sent overseas.
Over 2,000 Korean children a year are being sent to foreign families for adoption. From a foreigner's perspective, the situation may still be seen as an act of avoiding responsibility. We are living in a country considered one of the top ten economic powers. However, it is heartening to see a growing number of Koreans are becoming positive toward adoption, though those who actually try to adopt remain few.
It is also undeniable there are still lofty institutional obstacles hampering adoption in our country. Maternity leave for adoptive parents is not permitted. There is no financial help or other supporting measure from the government for those who adopt.
On the occasion of Adoption Day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said it is considering parental leave for foster parents and giving them financial assistance. According to the plan, the government will grant 100,000 won a month for childcare expenses to adoptive parents and give them 2 million won in a lump sum when they adopt a child.
The government is asked to work out more comprehensive measures to encourage adoption in our society. However, more important for invigorating adoption here, is a change of attitude among the people toward adoption. Traditionally, Koreans stick too much to blood ties, but people should realize we are now living in a global community where ethnic distinctions are getting dimmer.
05-11-2006 21:31
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