A Study on the Social Perceptions of the Baby Box and Infant Abandonment
10.21896/jksmch.2019.23.1.13
- Author:
Seol Ah LEE
1
;
Hee Sook KIM
Author Information
1. Incheon Yeonsu-gu Healthy Family and Multicultural Family Support Center, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
child abuse;
social perception
- MeSH:
Child;
Child Abuse;
Child Care;
Education;
Humans;
Illegitimacy;
Infant;
Marital Status;
Parents;
Permissiveness;
Quality of Life;
Single Person;
Social Conditions;
Social Perception
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health
2019;23(1):13-22
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the social perceptions of the baby box and infant abandonment. METHODS: The study included a survey on social perceptions of infant abandonment, including the baby box and permissiveness of infant abandonment. F-tests and t-tests were performed to clarify the differences in permissiveness of infant abandonment based on general characteristics. RESULTS: First, it was found that awareness of the baby box was high, and positive perceptions were slightly higher than negative perceptions due to the value placed on the abandoned child's life and safety, the unavoidable reasons for not rearing a child, and the child's quality of life after abandonment. However, the reasons for negative attitudes toward the baby box included the increase in infant abandonment and the decrease in parental responsibility toward the child. Second, the permissiveness of infant abandonment was generally low; however, the level of permissiveness differed according to age, education level, status, and marital status. For people who are in their 30s or older, hold a graduate or higher level degree, are employed, and are married, the permissiveness of infant abandonment was lower than that of others. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the current support policy for unmarried mothers should be changed to improve the economic and social conditions of child care. Furthermore, we must strive to improve the social perceptions of various family structures, including unmarried parents and their children.
