The Korean society has dynamically changed during the last sixty years, bringing about many problems for children and adolescents. This review looks at four prevalent youth problems, including intra-familial violence and abuse, Internet addiction, social isolation, and excessive pressure in education. Analysis of several domestic articles and bibliographies shows that the mentioned problems may be detrimental to a child’s mental health and hinder its normal development. Some phenomena are also closely related to overt clinical syndromes or psychopathologies. The Korean Medical Association initiated a child abuse prevention and treatment program in 2002. Additionally, the Korean Association of Adolescent Psychiatry supported by Prime Ministry Youth Commission is now developing a treatment program and an effective network for the alleviation of Internet addiction in adolescents. Socially isolated adolescents (hikkigomori) and excessive educational pressure (“Ko-sam-pyung”) are a threat to our society due to their complexity and their close relation to the social value system. It is necessary to address these issues.
Introduction
Intra-familial Violence and Child Maltreatment
“Education Fever”-A Syndrome in Senior High-School Students (“Kosam-pyung”).
Internet Addiction
Socially Withdrawn Adolescents (the Hikkigomori Phenomenon)
Conclusion
References