Introduction
Population disparity among communities is a common aspect that affects particular individuals depending on the needs and allocation of resources. It is evident that people have differed opportunities, but human necessities for life across the globe are similar. While in many countries poverty affects mostly the young people for some reasons in South Korea the highest numbers of individuals who face extreme poverty are the elderly. The conditions of living for the elderly in South Korea are not conducive to the extent that most of them opt for death than living. It is for these same reasons that the rate of suicide among the old is higher compared to people of other ages due to severe health conditions and depression. As highlighted by Erin Hye-Won Kim and Phillip Cook (2018), the rate of aging in South Korea is at a high speed compared to other Asian countries. According to history, the events that unfolded from the 50’s when the South Korean War was experienced, poverty hit the nation so hard before it came back to its feet. Following the hardships suffered from the war, poverty struck especially the old, and is currently considered a national disaster since most of the parties involved have not in any way done much to ensure that it is dealt with.
It is the responsibility of the government, the community and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the issue of poverty amongst the elderly in the South Korean society is handled according to ensure it diminishes for the good of all.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
From the time of the South Korean War, the economic drop of the country was one of the primary reasons that pushed its people to facilitate ways that could restore the power and prestige of the state. As a result, the country’s economic strength was regained making South Korea one of the countries in Asia that provided stability to its people through the existence of industrial companies that allocated job opportunities and openings to venture into unexploited businesses. While this was observed as a position that satisfied its people, the elderly who makes up close to 50% of the country is forced to face economic strains due to their inability to catch up with the fast-paced and competitive industrial growth (Kim, 2015). Moreover, the innovations and the country’s ability to embrace technology hinder the old from participating in the development of the nation through businesses or acquiring job opportunities. Ideally, most states have a cutting-edge age for retirement which ranges from fifty to sixty-five depending on the constitutional policies and the profession. In South Korea close to half of the population as viewed earlier is made up of individuals who are 60 years and above. Engaging in substantial work for 65-year-olds is torturers due to the deterioration of strength and immunity.
Support Systems
In most countries, the well-being of individuals of all ages is observed, analyzed and catered for by the government in collaboration with other institutes that includes non-governmental organizations and the community at large. In the Asian countries, it is a norm for all family members who include children to ensure that the old within their home are looked after and cared for by all means. The trend of children taking care of their elderly parents has diminished immensely due to different reasons that include the increase in urbanization and movement of the young persons from the rural areas to the cities (Jeon, , 2017. As a result, the old are forced to tend for themselves while in the village which in most cases is a matter of survival. On the other hand, the rate of young persons who dedicate their time and lives to support and care for their elderly parents has dropped from 90% to 37% making the situation alarming and challenging for the old (Jeon, 2017) . The decrease in the number of children who care for their parents is affected by South Korean norms where the responsibilities of supporting aged parents are always bestowed on mostly the eldest son and his family. The rest of the children despite their economic capabilities are never held liable in case the parents face hardships. Besides, the way families used to live has changed tremendously. For instance, during the 80’s people in South Korea would live as extended families compared to the current days where the nuclear home is the norm (Jeon, 2017). With such trends shaping the South Korean society, the neglect of the old remains an issue that is inevitable to most persons and children within the communities.
While measures to support and ensure that the elderly facing poverty is provided with necessary basic needs and other vital services like affordable healthcare are being put into place, the issue systems allocated is facing challenges that are still contributing to the increase in poverty levels amongst the old in South Korea. Statistics show that the pension support program in South Korea commenced in 1988 and hence the finances accumulated are not enough to benefit eligible persons who registered for the pension fees. Moreover, those who have received their pension funds have not been able to acquire their full amounts due to the infancy of the program (Jeon, 2017). On the other hand, the elderly support provided by the government is not an issue that is given priority because of the country’s decrease in the funds allocated to social services. The move to minimize support for social services within the state has mostly affected the condition of the economic underprivileged persons especially the old. Besides, unlike other nations, South Korea has stuck with the norm of children supporting their aged parents making it their responsibility which tends to pull back the government from playing a role in caring for the old (Jeon, 2017). The evidence on this move is viewed by the hectic processes applied in acquiring pension benefits for the old who in most cases hinders them from following all channels allocated. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), South Korea has been ranked second last as a country that spends less on public social needs and services.
For purposes of saving the situation, the government in 2012 raised the pensions slightly higher through a program that was dubbed ‘National Happiness Pension,’ that benefitted very few persons because of the requirements needed for one to qualify. One of the key demands for the ‘National Happiness Pension’ is the need for an individual to be living under the poverty line. The number of individuals receiving pension benefits is not as much compared to those who are still struggling financially (Jeon, 2017). Besides the reasons allocated earlier, most persons living under the poverty line feel embarrassed to reach out for government’s help because they are expected to provide evidence that their family members especially children are not in a position to support them or have willingly neglected their parents to suffering.
Other institutes which recognize poverty among the elderly as an issue that not only subjects the country’s economy and social status on the verge are making efforts to implement strategies that will help in allocating support for the poor elderly. For instance, entrepreneurs in collaboration with other institutes are coming together to ensure that relevant measures are put in place to facilitate improvement in the social status of the poor persons especially the old (Kim, 2011). Besides, other conditions that impact the state of poverty adversely like health and disability are being looked into to ensure that despite the economic strains, the affected persons can be in a position to live better with good health and assistance. Poverty crisis in South Korea is a problem that can be solved in case appropriate measures are allocated, and involved parties work hand in hand. Moreover, with the statistics provided by economic experts, the country can be in a position to analyze areas that require amendments and improvements for purposes of facilitating social funding and support mostly for the aged.
Conclusion
The social conditions of persons in various populations are affected by multiple aspects depending on the lifestyle, governance, available opportunities, and resources allocated to the people in question. Poverty is a problem that affects various communities making it a world issue that needs global interventions. South Korea’s poverty state is slightly different from most countries where the young are profoundly affected. The rate of poverty amongst the old in South Korea is alarming considering that the Asian nations have disparities in the number of persons affected by poverty and the reasons as to why. While families are the core institutes looked into supporting most of their elderly relatives, other measures like the pension programs allocated by the governments are as essential and critical in ensuring that social funding is available to eliminate poverty and economic struggles on its citizens. Besides pension support, the government in collaboration with other organizations can formulate programs and activities for the old that can help them earn to sustain their livelihoods and that of their loved ones. Affordable health services and support for the disabled are among other strategies that can be used to eliminate poverty in the country and others.
References
Jeon, B., Noguchi, H., Kwon, S., Ito, T., & Tamiya, N. (2017). Disability, poverty, and role of the basic livelihood security system on health services utilization among the elderly in South Korea: Social Science & Medicine , 178 , 175-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.02.013
KIM, E., & COOK, P. (2011). The continuing importance of children in relieving elder poverty: evidence from Korea. Ageing And Society , 31 (06), 953-976. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x10001030
Kim, J., Shim, J., & Lee, R. (2015). Material hardship and depression among low-income households in South Korea: Differences by household type. International Journal of Social Welfare , 25 (2), 187-198. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12181
