Legislative Initiative for Work-Family Reconciliation in South Korea: A Comparative Analysis of the South Korean, American, French, and German Family Leave Policies

Abstract

This thesis compares the family leave policies (mat ernity, paternity and parental leave) of South Korea, U.S., France, and G ermany by exploring the cultural context and purposes in adopting famil y leave laws. Unlike Western nations, family leave legislation has been ineffective in South Korea since family leave laws were adopted as a mea ns to achieve the ranks of a developed nation, with little considerat ion as to internal cultural values. Traditional influences of Confucia nism, which support gender inequality have hindered implementation of f amily leave laws, which are based on democratic principles. One metho d o embrace family leave in Korea is through recognition of a collecti ve goal of increasing women’s workforce participation through family leav , since collectivism has historically been accepted and valued by the Ko rean people. By shifting responsibility for children from parents t o government, children can be regarded as public goods, and the establishm ent of public childcare centers can support the implementation of family leave policies to assist working families in South Korea.