Post-nuptial coresidence of married women in Korea
Choe, M.K.; Kong, S.K.; Cho, A.J.
Pogon Sahoe Nonjip 11(2): 67-79
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 1226-0282 PMID: 12179752 Document Number: 327362
In 1960, only 28% of the population of Korea was urban. This proportion rose to 74% by 1990. In 1960, primary industry engaged 66% of the labor force; however, this dropped to only 20% by 1989. In 1960, only 14% of women participated in the labor force; this rose to 46% by 1990. During 1956-60, senior high school or higher-level education was attained by 53% of Korean women; this increased to 86% by 1966-70. Before 1960, as many as 76% of the women lived with parental in-laws immediately after marriage; however, by 1980 or later, this proportion declined to 33%. Among rural residents, postnuptial correspondence reached 80% in 1960 and decreased to 58% in 1980. Among urban wives, the rate was 61% in 1960 and 26% in 1980. 78% of wives who were 20 years of age at marriage lived with in-laws in 1960; this dropped to 49% in 1989. AMong those marrying at age 20-24, the co-residence rate was 65% in 1960 and 34% in 1980; while among those marrying at 25 or over, coresidence was 30% in 1960 and 30% in 1980. When the wife's education was less than junior high school level; 77% lived with in-laws in 1960; this proportion declined to 41% in 1980. The respective figures for junior high school level education of the wife were 61% in 1960 and 37% in 1980; and for senior high school education, coresidence rates were 65% in 1960 and 31% in 1980. Among those whose husbands grew up in a rural area, 79% coresided in 1960 compared to 39% in 1980. Among those whose husbands grew up in an urban area, 64% lived with in-laws in 1960 compared to 29% in 1980. 77% of coresident wives in 1960 had husbands or parents who decided on coresidence as opposed to 442% in 1980. Among wives who made this decision themselves, 50% lived with in-laws in 1960 compared to 32% in 1980. If the husband was the first son, 92% of wives took up coresidence in 1960 compared to 47% in 1980. However, when the husband was not the first son, only 57% lived with parental in-laws in 1960, which proportion declined to 23% in 1980.