In South Korea, the birth rate is the lowest in the world, and many young couples are choosing not to have children due to the rising costs of child care and housing, job scarcity, and growing anxiety about the future. To make matters worse, hundreds of public establishments across the country have designated themselves as “no-kids zones”, banning children from entering.
Recently, a lawmaker took her toddler to the National Assembly and called on the government to outlaw the policy. She argued that getting rid of no-kids zones and creating a society more accepting of children would help the country overcome its low birthrate.
Public opinion on child-free zones suggests that most South Koreans support them. Supporters of the policy say that children can be a disturbance to customers, and that the zones help prevent accidents and property damage as well as injuries to young children.
However, the push to get rid of no-kids zones is gaining momentum. Last week, the health and welfare safety committee on Jeju Island deliberated an ordinance that would abolish no-kids zones island wide. If it passes, it will be the first law of its kind in South Korea.
It remains to be seen whether the government will take action to make it easier for families to have children. But for now, it is clear that South Korea needs to create a more family-friendly environment if it wants to increase its birthrate.