An increasing number of South Korean women are choosing not to marry, not to have children, and not even to have relationships with men. With the lowest fertility rate in the world, the country’s population will start shrinking unless something changes.
“I have no plans to have children, ever,” says 24-year-old Jang Yun-hwa, as we chat in a hipsterish cafe in the middle of Seoul.
“I don’t want the physical pain of childbirth. And it would be detrimental to my career.”
Like many young adults in South Korea’s hyper-competitive job market, Yun-hwa, a web comic artist, has worked hard to get where she is and isn’t ready to let all that hard graft go to waste.
“Rather than be part of a family, I’d like to be independent and live alone and achieve my dreams,” she says.
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When I put it to her that if she and her contemporaries don’t have children her country’s culture will die, she tells me that it’s time for the male-dominated culture to go.
“Must die,” she says, breaking into English. “Must die!”
All I want for my life right now is to be so financially stable and independent that I can easily afford travel and things that make me feel good, a lightflooded home, music, beautiful nature, friends, books, and love
What you say & place your energy towards has the power to manifest intensely today. Be mindful with your words and actions. Make sure you’re walking in abundance, happiness, and whatever other energy you want to cultivate in your life!! Happy Friday!! ✌🏾
