A Study of Changes in Family Relationships Involving Elderly People in South Korea

这是一项关于现代韩国快速老龄化社会中涉及老年人的家庭关系变化的研究。为了解韩国老龄化的地域特征，本研究对大邱市和庆尚北道群维郡的老年人进行了访谈。采访显示，家庭意识下降，对年迈的父母，特别是大儿子的经济支持和照顾减少。然而，研究也表明，公共话语越来越强调老年人的独立性以及政府和社会对他们的福利的责任。此外，研究还表明，韩国老年人的生活和福利服务需求在不同社会阶层和地区之间存在着巨大的差异。

This is a research study about changes in family relationships involving elderly people in the rapidly aging society that is contemporary South Korea. In order to understand the regional characteristics of Korean aging, interview of elderly people in the Daegu City and Gunwi-gun of Gyeongsangbuk-do were conducted. The interviews reveal declining family consciousness and decreasing financial support and care of elderly parents, especially by eldest sons. However, the study also shows that public discourse is increasingly emphasizing the independence of elderly people and the responsibilities of government and society for their welfare. Furthermore, the study shows that the lives and need for welfare service of elderly people in Korea are characterized by great disparities among different social strata and regions.