SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - One in four young women in Seoul say they have no desire to marry, twice the proportion of men, according to a survey released Sunday that also found a sharp gender gap in attitudes toward having children.
According to a report released by the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family, 25.6 percent of unmarried women aged 19 to 34 said they did not want to marry, compared with 12.8 percent of men.
The gap was similarly pronounced in attitudes toward parenthood. Some 32.3 percent of women said they did not want to have or adopt children, more than double the 16 percent of men who gave the same response.
Among those opposed to marriage, 51.8 percent of women and 38.9 percent of men said they saw no need for it. Financial concerns were cited by 14.7 percent of women and 23.9 percent of men.
The survey, conducted online from May 11 to 29, covered 2,647 Seoul residents aged 19 to 34. Questions on marriage were directed at 2,331 respondents without spouses.
The findings also revealed differing perceptions of gender equality. The largest group, accounting for 40.3 percent, recognized both structural disadvantages faced by women and discrimination against men while emphasizing fairness.
Another 29.9 percent expressed heightened sensitivity to gender discrimination, bringing the combined share of the two groups to 70.2 percent.
Despite these differences, financial and personal stability remained a common priority. More than half of respondents, or 52.8 percent, identified a stable life as their most important value, followed by high income at 20.6 percent and work-life balance at 16.3 percent.
Women were more likely to cite career interruptions and work-life balance as concerns, while men emphasized income and housing costs, according to follow-up interviews.
The foundation said policymakers should consider differences in gender perceptions, economic circumstances and family plans when designing employment, housing and childcare support programs.
Candice Kim
Candice Kim is a dedicated business and technology reporter specializing in the intersection of high-tech innovation and fast-paced consumer trends. Her core beats span the semiconductor, IT, cosmetics, and retail sectors, where she provides in-depth coverage of industry titans including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and LG Electronics, alongside leading consumer brands like Olive Young and Musinsa. Whether analyzing complex silicon supply chains or tracking the latest shifts in beauty and fashion retail, Candice is committed to delivering sharp, accurate reporting that keeps readers informed on the forces shaping today's most dynamic markets.
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