By Yoon Ja-young
Korea seems to regard its low birth as a serious problem. Some policymakers have recently proposed the introduction of foreign housemaids to solve this problem. They say that the birthrate will be pulled up by reducing the cost of childcare through foreign nannies who receive low wages.
It might work for the short term. Until now, many couples who both work have relied on nannies who are either Korean or ethnic Koreans from China, if grandparents from either side of the family aren't available to take care of their grandchildren. Nannies also do housework in most cases, and sometimes live with the family that employs them on weekdays.
Hiring a live-in nanny, especially of Korean nationality, is very costly for ordinary working moms. They would have little money left ― if any ― from their monthly salary after paying the nanny. Nevertheless, they are advised by their senior working moms at work to hire live-in nannies, especially if they have some ambition with their job. "You don't need them forever. It's only for a few years until your baby is somewhat grown. So think of it as a cost to keep the job you have."
However, it is doubtful whether introducing foreign nannies alone will pull up the birthrate. It might even worsen the problem in the long run as it doesn't focus on addressing the fundamental causes.
Firstly, let's examine the countries that are "importing" foreign housemaids at a low cost. They cite countries like Singapore and Hong Kong as a benchmark for Korea in adopting such a policy. Are those countries good role models for Korea in terms of birthrate? The birthrate of Singapore stood at 1.02 and Hong Kong at 0.75 in 2021 statistics. They are competing for the world's lowest birthrate with South Korea ― which had 0.78 babies born per woman last year. Despite hiring foreign nannies for so long, why are their birthrates so low?
Having someone to take care of your baby ― without much cost ― does hold significance. However, when raising a child, there are other things that come as bigger stresses. That is, for example, when the husband is stuck at work and comes home late every night. Or when your children suddenly fall ill so you have to seek permission from your boss to take time off to care for them. If you take them to a pediatrician, you will wait your turn for hours as there are many patients waiting. "Will I be able to make it to work? How will this affect my colleagues?" The situation induces worry.
Working moms say having a trustable nanny is among the "five blessings" allowed only for the luckiest among them. However, would it be enough to have a foreign housemaid who is so competent ― even taking your baby to the pediatrician by herself ― that you almost don't need your husband to be involved in childcare? Shouldn't both spouses dedicate their time to childcare, without feeling burdened? Among developed countries, those with high birthrates are places where couples are capable of raising their children by themselves, not countries that rely on cheap foreign helpers.
Let me cite a case of a working mom raising three children. She has experienced having live-in nannies, part-time housemaids, part-time babysitters and even de facto single parenting (because her husband was too busy to help). This means she has pondered over this birthrate issue extensively.
Now she says, when she decided to have a third child, there was no need for a live-in nanny with her family. Her husband was available at home every evening. He bathed the two kids, fed them and put them to bed. In the meantime, she prepared dinner and did other housework. Raising the two kids on their own and seeing them grow was enjoyable, and the couple made the "brave" decision to have another one.
The writer (yjy@koreatimes.co.kr) is the finance editor of The Korea Times.
Korea seems to regard its low birth as a serious problem. Some policymakers have recently proposed the introduction of foreign housemaids to solve this problem. They say that the birthrate will be pulled up by reducing the cost of childcare through foreign nannies who receive low wages.
It might work for the short term. Until now, many couples who both work have relied on nannies who are either Korean or ethnic Koreans from China, if grandparents from either side of the family aren't available to take care of their grandchildren. Nannies also do housework in most cases, and sometimes live with the family that employs them on weekdays.
Hiring a live-in nanny, especially of Korean nationality, is very costly for ordinary working moms. They would have little money left ― if any ― from their monthly salary after paying the nanny. Nevertheless, they are advised by their senior working moms at work to hire live-in nannies, especially if they have some ambition with their job. "You don't need them forever. It's only for a few years until your baby is somewhat grown. So think of it as a cost to keep the job you have."
However, it is doubtful whether introducing foreign nannies alone will pull up the birthrate. It might even worsen the problem in the long run as it doesn't focus on addressing the fundamental causes.
Firstly, let's examine the countries that are "importing" foreign housemaids at a low cost. They cite countries like Singapore and Hong Kong as a benchmark for Korea in adopting such a policy. Are those countries good role models for Korea in terms of birthrate? The birthrate of Singapore stood at 1.02 and Hong Kong at 0.75 in 2021 statistics. They are competing for the world's lowest birthrate with South Korea ― which had 0.78 babies born per woman last year. Despite hiring foreign nannies for so long, why are their birthrates so low?
Having someone to take care of your baby ― without much cost ― does hold significance. However, when raising a child, there are other things that come as bigger stresses. That is, for example, when the husband is stuck at work and comes home late every night. Or when your children suddenly fall ill so you have to seek permission from your boss to take time off to care for them. If you take them to a pediatrician, you will wait your turn for hours as there are many patients waiting. "Will I be able to make it to work? How will this affect my colleagues?" The situation induces worry.
Working moms say having a trustable nanny is among the "five blessings" allowed only for the luckiest among them. However, would it be enough to have a foreign housemaid who is so competent ― even taking your baby to the pediatrician by herself ― that you almost don't need your husband to be involved in childcare? Shouldn't both spouses dedicate their time to childcare, without feeling burdened? Among developed countries, those with high birthrates are places where couples are capable of raising their children by themselves, not countries that rely on cheap foreign helpers.
Let me cite a case of a working mom raising three children. She has experienced having live-in nannies, part-time housemaids, part-time babysitters and even de facto single parenting (because her husband was too busy to help). This means she has pondered over this birthrate issue extensively.
Now she says, when she decided to have a third child, there was no need for a live-in nanny with her family. Her husband was available at home every evening. He bathed the two kids, fed them and put them to bed. In the meantime, she prepared dinner and did other housework. Raising the two kids on their own and seeing them grow was enjoyable, and the couple made the "brave" decision to have another one.
The writer (yjy@koreatimes.co.kr) is the finance editor of The Korea Times.
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