한국 아동돌봄의 재고

Revisiting the Child Care in Korea: Principles and Tasks

This paper examines whether the revenue and expenditure level of child care in Korea has recently compassed enough of all the children in need. Based on the analysis of trend of welfare expenditure and policy goals and orientation, it would be fair to say that recent development of child care in Korea has inequitably paid greater attention to children with parents who also have voting power. In contrast, programs for children from low-income families and even with no parents, are somehow excluded. It, therefore, could be a strong sign of constituency-based politics around social welfare which shown in the middle of universal welfare discourse. For better effectiveness and compliances as well as a good sense of equity and consistency, parental sharing and/or professional care model should be pursued rather than full-time motherhood and/or intergenerational care model which has recently been strengthened in MB administration. Need-based priorities should rightfully be maintained for vulnerable children with multi-level disadvantages. It is high time to think over the underlying tone of recent policies and go back to basic principles.