Persisting Problems
Taboos against adoption persists in Korea with no end in sight. Since the 1950s, only 4% of Korean orphans have been adopted by South Korean citizens. As a result, over two million Korean orphans have been raised in state orphanages. The few parents who choose to adopt, often do so in secret. Parents ensure that the baby's blood type matches with their own in order to avoid others from raising questions. Women even go as far as to fake pregnancies.
There is also an issue over heavy male preference over female. A 1990 study revealed that for every 100 girls, 117 boys were being born in Korea. Although abortion has been illegal in Korea since the end of the Korean War, Korea has one of the highest abortion rates in the world. One 2005 study estimated that Korea had 340,000 abortions a year in a population of 50 million people -- that's double the rate of U.S abortions. However, only 30 cases have been tried in court, and most led to measly fines and probation rather than heavy fines and jail time like the law requires. These abortions also tend to occur for female babies. Thankfully, this trend has mostly reversed to equal sex ratios. However, the large number of abortions points to issues surrounding the heavy emphasis on bloodlines in Korea.
There is also an issue over heavy male preference over female. A 1990 study revealed that for every 100 girls, 117 boys were being born in Korea. Although abortion has been illegal in Korea since the end of the Korean War, Korea has one of the highest abortion rates in the world. One 2005 study estimated that Korea had 340,000 abortions a year in a population of 50 million people -- that's double the rate of U.S abortions. However, only 30 cases have been tried in court, and most led to measly fines and probation rather than heavy fines and jail time like the law requires. These abortions also tend to occur for female babies. Thankfully, this trend has mostly reversed to equal sex ratios. However, the large number of abortions points to issues surrounding the heavy emphasis on bloodlines in Korea.
Move Towards Change
In 2007, South Korea set a limit on the number of children that could be adopted overseas, as well as provisions to lower that number by 10% per year. Orphans must also be kept in South Korea for at least five months while agencies look for a local home before they can be approved for overseas adoption. In addition, a week's worth of counseling is now required for birth parents trying to put their children up for adoption. This is meant to encourage parents to keep their children, and has some success.
In 2012, a revision was made that required babies to be registered in court before being approved for adoption. This revision was meant to make the adoption process more transparent, as well as improve adoptees' chance of tracing their birth parents when they grow older.
In 2012, a revision was made that required babies to be registered in court before being approved for adoption. This revision was meant to make the adoption process more transparent, as well as improve adoptees' chance of tracing their birth parents when they grow older.
Unexpected Consequences
Up until 2012, domestic adoptions were on the rise. However, due to stricter restrictions on adoption laws, domestic adoption rates have steadily dropped. In addition, the number of abandoned children has nearly doubled from 2011-2012, partly due to the fact that parents do not want to register children they are about to put up for adoption. Employers and families have access to these records, and those who have children out of wedlock are ostracized in South Korean society. There have been talks to restrict access to these records in order to encourage adoption.
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