Silent Cry: Adolescent Pregnancy in South Korea

Abstract

Traditionally, an open discussion about adolescent sexual behavior and pregnancy was taboo in Korea. Pregnant adolescents were publicly stigmatized and ostracized by their peers, teachers, and, sometimes, even by family members. Given this social reality, pregnant adolescents in South Korea have been left alone outside any support system and had to cry silently. South Korean society has been experiencing a rapid change in general. Among those changes were progressive policy provisions to promote the education and health of pregnant adolescents, adolescent mothers, and their offspring. Especially, after the advisory statement from the National Human Rights Commission of South Korea in 2010, the South Korean government and the education system have been working together to secure pregnant adolescents’ access to education, medical, and other crucial services. As well, these government agencies have been making significant efforts to enhance the public awareness about adolescent sexual activities and pregnancy via educational programs within and outside of schools. In order to stop the “silent cry” of adolescent mothers and their babies in South Korea, there are a few recommendations warranting special attention based on this review. First, a primary prevention effort regarding adolescent pregnancy in public sectors including the school system should be accompanied by the same efforts at family level. As the studies of sexual education showed, many adolescents reported the primary source of knowledge about sex was their own parents. A significant effort should be directed to the education of parents and other family members to increase the positive effect of sex education within rather than proximal in the family system. Lastly, much more attention should be directed to meeting pregnant adolescents’ medical needs and welfare of their babies because most pregnant adolescents are typically not financially self-sufficient and often lack a support system.