韓國 低所得層 老人生活에 관한 社會ㆍ經濟 및 空間問題 硏究 = Study of Socio-economic and Special problems of the Aged in Urban Low-income Neighborhoods

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The problems of the aged are emerging as a social problem in Korea. These problems are resulting from various factors : urban- industrialization, the change of family structure and occupational structure, the change of values and increased life-span owing o the advancement of medical science. Compared with Western developed countries where old-age welfare policies have been institutionalized, our social programs for the aged are in the beginning stage og development.
In order to solve the problems of the aged, and to design old-age welfare policies, it is important that we have a clear understanding of the nature of these problems.
This study was designed to find out the problems of the aged in urban low-income neighborhoods, and analyze the problems in connection with their life in family and community. Finally, the study attempted to examine the correlation between some variables and life satisfaction for the old people. The analysis was based n the data obtained from the questionnaire method of sample survey and case studies conducted through interviews. The sample was randomly selected, with the interviewees consisting of 149 residents in apartment areas and 151 in traditional housing areas. 100 three-generation households were selected in both areas purposely. The case study was used for grasping the situation of the community facilities for the elderly. 4 cases in Seoul and 1 in a rural area were selected purposely.
Major findings are as follows:
1. The problems of the aged in the family directly result from their economic status. Difficulties stem from the fact that their major income source is their children's help and that even the children belong to the low-income group. This economic problem causes a lack of living space as well as health problems. They cannot afford to have proper medical care such as regular check ups or medical care during disease. The Economic problems limit their social activity and hinder their relations with their children, relatives, and friends. Nevertheless they are not interested in having jobs or work to do. They prefer, rather, to go on trips or just to rest at home in their old days. This way of thinking differs from that of their children, who believe it would be good for the old people to have work or jobs appropriate to their health condition and ability. This difference of attitude or values could be a source of strain in family relations. Related to those problems in the family is the steady corrosion of the traditional belief that old people's problems should be solved by their own family. To cope with this change, community acre programs are urgently needed.
2. The only public facility existing for the elderly on a community level, is an organization known the OLD PEOPLES HALL. The economic problems of low-income people also have an effect on the operation of the organization. That is, the lack of finances brings about a series of problems such as inadequate space, insufficient facilities and unsatisfactory programs. Institutionalized support from the government or private organization is greatly needed to have more old people participate voluntarily in this organization.
3. By the Chi-square (χ2) test it was found that some variables have a significant effect on the degree of life satisfaction of the aged. The variables are marital status, educational attainment, religious affiliation, job (whether he/she has a job or not), how (leisure) time is spent, social participation, and the frequency of visits from their childrens. It has been shown that sex, age, type pf living arrangement, frequency of going out and kinds of hobby have no strong relation to the degree of the elderlys life satisfaction.
The suggestions on the basis of the above problems are as follows :
1. Since the traditional family-centered way of caring for aged has and continues to wane, various solutions are required to provide alternatives for their own selection, i.e., for the aged who want to be separated from their children public and private pay nursing homes equipped with good facilities could be established.
2. It is desirable to give priority in housing loans to low-income families who rake care of their parents in the same household, in order to reduce the dwelling space problem.
3. Institutionalized medical aid program and discount on public fares for the low-income aged are urgently needed. In addition, the arrangement of proper jobs for the aged who wish to work is recommended.
4. For the low-income aged who have nothing to do and no space for spending leisure time, increasing the number of old peoples' centers as well as developing program for recreation and education are required.
5. Counselling centers are needed for both the old people and their children who need advice for their family-related problems. Also to be recommended is the development of research institutions for providing systematic information and data to design old-age welfare policy for the future.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. 序論
• Ⅱ. 硏究方法
• 1. 問題設定 및 理論的 背景
• 2. 調査對象 및 標本抽出
• Ⅲ. 硏究結果
• 1. 標本의 一般的 性格
• 2. 老人과 家族
• 3. 老人과 地域社會
• 4. 老後生活에 대한 滿足度
• Ⅳ. 結論
• 參考文獻
• 英文要約