• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.141-159
• /
• 2009

우리나라는 2002년 초저출산 사회(합계출산율 1.3명 이하)로 진입한 후 합계출산율이 평균 1.2 이하인 상황이 지속되고 있다. 이러한 초저출산 상황이 향후 지속된다면 인구고령화의 사회 경제적 여파가 예상보다 클 것으로 전망된다. 과연 이런 초저출산 추세가 일시적인 것인지 아니면 앞으로 계속 지속될 것인지에 대한 검토가 필요하다. 이에 본 연구는 최근 저출산함정 가설(low fertility trap hypothesis)을 제기한 Lutz, Skirbekk and Testa(2006)의 논의를 소개한다. 그들은 크게 인구학적, 사회적, 그리고 경제적 요인과 같이 3가지 요인으로 구분하여 저출산함정의 존재 가능성을 논하고 있다. 그렇다면 과연 우리나라는 저출산함정에 빠져 있는가? 먼저 고령화 가설의 경우 출생아수와 고령화간 부(-)의 관계가 나타나고 있으며, 최근 이상자녀수가 2.2~2.3명이지만, 실제자녀수는 그 수준을 하회하고 있어 이상자녀수가설도 지지된다. 상대소득가설의 경우, 류덕현(2007)의 연구결과에 따르면 연령 계층 간 상대소득이 출산율에 정(+)의 효과를 보여 상대소득가설이 지지되는 것으로 나타났다. 물론 제한된 영역에서 완벽한 검증이 이루어진 것은 아니지만, 적어도 출산율이 대체수준까지 회복되기에는 어려운 상황이라는 점을 발견할 수 있었으며, 이는 우리나라의 저출산 문제가 얼마나 심각한 수준인지를 재확인시켜준다.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.169-188
• /
• 2019

In this study, the author utilizes longitudinal data of the recent 12 years to verify whether the absolute versus relative income of old age has a significant effect on their life satisfaction of life. The findings of this study show that there is a significant difference in life satisfaction of old age according to respondents' relative income of three reference groups based on their asset quintile and residental area and education. In the correlation analysis using the cross-sectional data, the absolute and relative income level was closely related to the life satisfaction. In the panel regression analysis using the 12 years longitudinal data from the Korea National Labour Panel dataset, the income level of counterparts in those reference groups appeared highly significant in determining the level of life satisfaction of the elderly. However, some demographic variables such as age and marital status did not have a statistically significant effect in the long-term perspective. The income of reference groups in terms of asset levels, education and region as well as their own past life satisfaction level had a significant effect on the elders' life satisfaction determination. These results suggest that the relative income hypothesis in terms of life satisfaction among the elderly is more valid than the previous absolute income hypothesis.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.64 no.1
• /
• pp.53-77
• /
• 2012

The Easterlin Paradox is widely accepted as a pioneer of happiness study in social science disciplines including Economics, Psychology, and Sociology. Moreover, it should be noted, the paradox has abundant implications on many social issues such as 'economic growth or social equity', 'basic income' and so forth. It is in this regard that this paper purports to understand debates around the paradox. For this purpose, the chapter two examines the theoretical perspectives of the Easterlin Paradox, and accordingly the chapter three examines the Easterlin Paradox debates since the early 1990s. In the context of the Easterlin paradox debates, the chapter four scrutinizes the debates around satiation point in income-happiness nexus and duly concludes with some social welfare implications.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.59-87
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to empirically test some hypotheses derived from the alliance model of the family, which focuses on theorizing situations in which family members simultaneously compete with other members within a family and rivals in society to maximize their statuses in the family and in society. Specifically, associations between wives' level of income relative to that of their husbands and each spouse's satisfaction with family relationships were examined, using the first wave of Korea Welfare Panel Study having been conducted in 2006 by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. The results of the analyses showed that three ones among four research hypotheses were supported. Wives' satisfaction with family relationships was negatively associated with their relative level of income. This pattern strongly appeared among wives from lower class families rather than among wives from middle/upper class families. Relationship between wives' relative level of income and husbands' satisfaction with family relationships was likely to be bi-directional among husbands from middle/upper class families. Unlike the author's expectation, however, this bi-directional relationship was not observed among husbands from lower class families.