Drugie przejście demograficzne (SDT) w Republice Korei i Japonii. Postmaterializm a instytucja rodziny, małżeństwa i kwestia posiadania potomstwa
The Second Demographic Transition (SDT) in the Republic of Korea and Japan. Post-materialism and the Institution of the Family, Marriage and the Question of Having Offspring

Author(s): Joanna M. Guzik
Subject(s): Family and social welfare, Demography and human biology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: second demographic transition (SDT); Korea; Japan; materialism; post-materialism; family; marriage; offspring
Summary/Abstract: The article attempts to identify the causes of the demographic crisis in Korea and Japan in terms of post-materialist theory and the second demographic transition (SDT). Despite a high degree of trust in the institution of the family and a sense of duty towards the country, Korea and Japan continue to record very low fertility and marriage rates. The analysed data, cultural patterns and values indicate the multifaceted nature of this problem. In both countries, a visible correlation exists between the desire to have children (if intended) and the cultural prerequisite of entering into marriage. The lack of deinstitutionalisation of marriage is evidence of an incomplete second demographic transition. In the context of materialism, both countries exhibit a statistical predominance of individuals adopting a mixed approach, combining both materialistic and post-materialistic values. However, in Korea, there are more than twice as many people with a ‘pure’ materialistic approach, which intensified after the Asian crisis at the end of the 20th century, which may be one reason for the lower fertility rate in that country.

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