"Raising Children Together": Yeongyang County's Special Child-Rearing Community
Yeongyang County in Gyeongsangbuk-do has launched a special initiative to address the issue of low birth rates. Local residents have joined forces to create a "child-rearing community" where they raise children together. This project aims to establish an environment where children can be raised safely and happily, even in rural areas.
The initiative involves the local Living Improvement Association, multicultural families, and families with multiple children. They form bonds and interact like family members, sharing child-rearing information. In particular, families from different cultural backgrounds communicate with one another, playing a significant role in strengthening community ties.
The community's activities begin at a warm "dining table." Residents gather to prepare and share meals, naturally spending time looking after the children. This helps reduce the burden of childcare for parents and provides children with opportunities to socialize with various adults in the neighborhood.
Yeongyang County expects that this care network will provide practical help in overcoming the low birth rate. This is because creating a warm culture where the entire community supports a child's growth is more important than simply increasing the number of childcare facilities.
In the future, Yeongyang County plans to operate various support programs to encourage more families to participate. The case of Yeongyang County, where residents voluntarily participate in raising children, is expected to serve as an excellent model for other rural areas struggling with population decline.