B) Limitations of the Protection Policy for Youths Preparing for Independence
(Children Discharged from Out-of-Home Care)
Usually, independence of children and adolescents is achieved through a long-term care of
their families. Particularly in Korea, the age of entry into society is later and more difficult
than OECD member states due to difficulty in finding jobs, high college entrance rate and
fulfilling the military service obligations. The process of becoming independent for youths
preparing for independence is inevitably more difficult than other adolescents and young
adults because they lack social and economic resources and the support systems.
It is reasonable to say that the biggest difficulty experienced by young people preparing
for self-reliance is a problem stemming from economic power. However, many experts
believe that the government's recent policies to support independence for the youths
preparing for independence focus on financial support programs, but it is also pointed out
that it is necessary to more delicately deal with many practical problems face by these young
people in the process of standing alone.303)
First is a matter of psychological and emotional support. Various studies have confirmed
that the level of psychological and emotional satisfaction and life satisfaction of young
people preparing for independence are lower than other children, youths, and lower than
those children under protection, and tend to decrease as the years pass after they are
discharged. Even when they are in a dangerous psychological state to contemplate suicide,
they sometimes cannot effectively respond on their own. For those who lack social support
after the end of protection, psychological and emotional independence is an essential
element for overall independence, but in reality, as the follow-up period becomes longer, the
independence support system tends to be neglected except for economic support.304)
Second is a problem of the service support system. Although self-reliance support
services, including economic support, have been greatly expanded, the support services
cannot be provided if contact is lost with youths preparing for independence, and the issue of
lost contact, which accounts for about 20%, is one of the factors that reduces the
303) Chosun Media, From a Youth Preparing for Independence to a Young Adult with Many Potentials, Jun. 24, 2022.
304) Asia Today, Half of Youths Preparing for Independence Think about Suicide ... Must Reinforce Support System,
Aug. 28, 2022.
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