Nearly half of elderly live apart from children

[unreal.livejournal.com]

The number of Seoul's elderly people living apart from their children increased more than 120 percent over the past decade, data showed Sunday, illustrating the nation's rapid demographic changes.

The data released by the Seoul Metropolitan Government found that 43 percent, or 400,224, of its residents aged over 65 lived away from their children as of last year.

The figure marked an increase of 123.7 percent from 178,908 in 2000, the data showed.

The number of senior couples increased 129.6 percent, while the number of elderly people living alone increased 113.3 percent in the same period.

In a poll conducted last October, only 21.5 percent of the city's elderly people expressed a wish to live together with their children, down from 30.4 percent recorded in 2005.

Source: yonhapnews

Comments

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

Sad, especially since it's such an Asian thing to take care of one's parents in their old age. I would hate to have my parents so far away from me when they're old.

[miszmba.livejournal.com]

mte. I can't imagine leaving my mum alone.

[lil-rach-angel.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it's because of the rise in general life that has allowed this to happen as it means they don't ahve to live together to eck out a better life, but instead go on their own. That and potential Western influence.

[vanilla-09.livejournal.com]

I don't know how they do it. I'm pretty sure it's an Asian thing to take care of parents. I know my Carrabean parents and us, grand-children don't even consider retirement homes. I'v been living near my grandparents' house since I was a kid.

[hillando.livejournal.com]

I love how every time I see Reita on omona I know I can expect an article about the society in Korea instead of just entertainment news.

Anyway! As an independent westerner who is used to family living far away I can't really claim to understand this....but I can imagine it's a big change happening in Seoul. I wonder if the city is going to build elderly homes for those who don't want to depend on their kids yet are not in good enough health to live by themselves?

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

kinda sad but understandable, young people have to go where the jobs are and sometimes old people rather stay in familiar areas than move closer to their kids

[fate-otaku.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine living far from my parents/grandparents and not seeing them at least once a week. I'd worry too much. :/