Being a parent is a full-time job, and a tough one at that.
One of the biggest challenges: finding places outside the house to spend quality time with
your kids.
Venues like cafes often frown upon children coming in,... especially if they are being
loud and running around.
Lee Jeong-yeon introduces to us some unique spaces that cater to the needs of families,
especially mothers with little ones that can't keep still.
Parenting has never been an easy or a short-term job.
And one of the biggest challenges for parents these days is to find places that support
and encourage activities for both parents and children.
Family friendly venues are decreasing in number, and some commercial spaces are even declaring
themselves "no kid zones."
What is giving rise to such family-unfriendly attitude?
(Korean - steve) "Two factors come into play.
First, more people are becoming individualistic.
So there's an increased sense of not wanting their personal time or space disturbed.
Second, as families become smaller, there are fewer people who can educate children
about public etiquette."
Amid this social trend, more parents are looking for places where not only kids are welcomed,
but also provide a healthy surrounding for both parents and children.
(Stand-up) To deal with such demand, some local governments
are working to create more environments that are kid-friendly.
In Seoul, the highest concentration of venues like that are here in Jungnang-gu District.
And we're about to check out one of its many community childcare centers.
It's less than an hour before closing time, but moms are still coming in.
Here at one of the eight community childcare centers currently running in the district,
parents can come and go with their children any time during the day, free of charge.
The center is equipped with a private area for breastfeeding, an art zone for nurturing
creativity, and other facilities including a library, a playground, and a room for first-hand
experience programs.
(Korean - steve) "Our support center was founded based on the
district's five-year plan to create a family-friendly district.
It's been running for two years now, but already more than 120 people use it everyday.
The district government is planning to open eight more by the end of next year so that
there is one in every neighborhood."
(Korean - steve) "I usually go to the park or to kids' cafes
with my children, but sometimes other people feel uncomfortable when the kids are noisy.
So this is the only place I feel totally comfortable with my kids."
(Korean - steve) "We don't live too close by, but despite the
distance we come here often because the kids play better outside, but the kids cafes near
our house are very pricey."
While these centers reflect the efforts of the government, a grassroots self-help movement
by Korean women is also on the rise.
Mother Center is one prime example.
It was benchmarked from Germany's Mother Centers that started as a way to break through the
isolation women often experience when they have children.
It's a safe place for parents to not only mingle, but also learn new skills like pottery
and calligraphy.
(Korean - steve) "The first time I came was for a knitting
class.
I loved that I could learn something while having my child on my lap.
I could gain a sense of achievement and relieve my stress at the same time."
(Korean - steve) "Mothers can relate to each other about being
a mom over coffee.
I hope more centers can open up."
Although there is freedom in choosing the programs at the center, there are also drawbacks
from being a fully self-funded facility.
(Korean - steve) "The center runs on monthly fees from moms
as well as profits from the cafe.
But the monthly rent itself is expensive, so it's sometimes a struggle.
We need all the support we can get from the government."
Experts say that the appearance of such centers reflect the parents' desire to spend more
time with their kids, and these spaces provide an opportunity to see child rearing as a fun
activity, and not just a responsibility.
(Korean - steve) "Voluntary movement is always longer-lasting.
Government projects have to be standardized which means forfeiting flexibility.
The essence of these movements is for the parents to build trust amongst themselves,
which is something the government cannot do."
In order to relieve the burden of parenting, experts say that these grassroots centers
would be the most stable solution.
But in order for them to operate long-term, the government would have to provide more
support,… while ensuring their autonomy, and leaving it to the community to manage
the centers in a way that benefits both parents and children.
Lee Jeong-yeon, Arirang News