▶ The original article, 미혼모에 대한 너그러운 제도와 정책, '시기상조' 인가 was published in Daehan News in Aug 10, 2009 and translated by Korean Unwed Mothers' Support Network (KUMSN)
We can find significance in the recently held seminar, "Better Understanding Support Policies for Unwed Moms," in that it was an opportunity to share information about Korean and U.S. welfare policies.
Following Richard Boas, Director at the Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network, Dr. Cheryl Mitchell, former Deputy Secretary at Agency of Human Services in the State of Vermont and research professor at the University of Vermont, spoke on the topic of "U.S. Social Welfare Policies for Unwed Mothers" and ended with a question and answer session.
According to Dr. Mitchell, the U.S. sets aside funds for the support program of unwed mothers and their children, and this is also the case for local governments. Accordingly, health-related services include physical examinations for unwed mothers and their children (for children, this includes examinations assessing development and growth) and support for pregnant mothers and birth-related activities (in case that mother has no family, this includes direct help during birth).
Furthermore, Dr. Mitchell added that during the examination process, programs catered to the unwed mother and child are provided as necessary, as well as programs like education on nutrition and hygiene (for children), personal well-being programs (for fitness, vegetarians, nicotine cessation), and programs for stress reduction.
Other programs include home-visit education and promotion of literacy for unwed mothers with lower levels of literacy, as well as early childhood education (for infants and toddlers) and employment support (resume and job interview help).
Particularly, there are attempts to make sure that unwed mothers and their children can live with emotional stability, by helping unwed mothers in similar situations form groups and make connections, and thus finding emotional support.
"Throughout the U.S., there are generous systems," claimed Dr. Mitchell. It is true that in the U.S., for underprivileged unwed mothers and fathers other family members who can give financial support, financial support, as well as tax exemptions such as income tax returns and child tax credit.
However, the U.S. government, to save costs. only provides financial aid on the condition that either the unwed mother or the unwed father work and pay income tax to the state of their residence. Furthermore, once financial support is given to a family, the government conducts inspection to verify that the aid is being used toward raising the child.
What is interesting is that the biggest portion of U.S. unwed mothers' source of income comes not from the government but from their own income. What makes this possible is the climate of American society that is without prejudice against single mothers and allows for employment without discrimination regarding marital status.
"Thirty years ago, American society also thought of unwed mothers as shameful, but the perception has changed drastically," said Dr. Mitchell, "these generous programs (for unwed mothers and their children) don't necessarily reflect the national character of the U.S., but the fact that we consider children as important people who will bear our future."
Ultimately, it means that for a society to be healthy, its children need to be raised to be healthy. It also means that the government needs to step up to the plate to actively support unwed mothers and their children and to help develop a healthy social climate for them to thrive in.
Reporter Young Mi Baek
#Advocacy #Campaign #Changes #SouthKorea #UnwedMothers #2000s
