Many parents consider family stability and welfare benefits while raising their children. However, the relationship between marriage and childbirth can be complex. The number of cases where people choose to have children and raise them without getting married, often referred to as "de facto single parents," is on the rise. Such choices are mainly driven by income considerations, leading to social controversies and conflicts with government policies.
In her mid-30s, Ms. A, a corporate employee, had been married for four years but had not officially registered her marriage. However, after giving birth to her child in July, she considered filing for a marriage registration. Ultimately, she decided against it after discussing it with her husband. Ms. A made this choice based on advice from those around her, who mentioned the advantages of receiving benefits as an unmarried mother. She said, "At first, I thought it might be a disservice to my baby," but she believed that "receiving more financial support as an unmarried mother on paper would be better."
Mr. B, another corporate employee in his mid-30s, made a similar decision. He had a child while in a de facto marital relationship with his partner, and after completing the birth registration, he was recognized as a single parent. Mr. B said, "I didn't feel a significant burden in making this choice because I could enjoy all the benefits and support available as a single parent."
Such choices have become more prevalent as negative perceptions of non-marital childbirth decrease, and the government provides increased economic support. The government offers various forms of assistance, including energy bill reductions, cultural benefits, and sports vouchers, to single-parent families, including unmarried parents. Families with incomes below 60% of the median income also receive a monthly allowance, and in certain real estate subscription and loan conditions, not registering a marriage can be advantageous.
In particular, there are cases where not registering a marriage is advantageous when applying for real estate subscription rights. In the case of public housing supply for newlyweds, it is only available if the couple's monthly average income falls below a specific threshold. On the other hand, general subscriptions have different income criteria, and unmarried parents may find it easier to meet these conditions. Consequently, there is a growing trend of couples having children and choosing not to register their marriages.
To prevent "de facto single parents" from unfairly benefiting from these policies, the government has imposed restrictions. However, it can be difficult to confirm de facto marital relationships if the parties have different addresses. Additionally, high-income individuals may be deterred from registering their marriages due to more favorable loan conditions when unmarried. In response, the government has decided to introduce a "special loan for newborns" from next year, increasing the combined income threshold for married couples.
According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, the percentage of extramarital births in OECD countries, including South Korea, is steadily increasing. This phenomenon highlights the importance of allowing choices in marriage and childbirth methods and preventing social discrimination resulting from these choices.
When discussing and deciding on welfare benefits for single parents and one-parent families, it is essential to consider both family-centered social traditions and current realities. Marriage and childbirth are personal choices, and the benefits and burdens resulting from them should be fairly considered.
