South Korea finds itself at a crossroads. The country is struggling with a demographic issue characterized by a rising number of unmarried individuals and an aging population. The situation has been highlighted by the actions of Eun Seo-Ran, a 43-year-old South Korean woman who recently drew societal attention by adopting her 38-year-old single friend, Lee Eo-Rie, forging an unconventional family unit. While this phenomenon is not at all common in South Korea, the winds of change may be starting to blow.
In Korean society, strict gender roles and a patriarchal culture have long been prevalent. After marriage, women are often expected to assume the role of primary caregivers, responsible for childbirth, childcare and household duties. However, this paradigm has been challenged by the rise of feminist consciousness, prompting many women to question and reject these societal norms. These women are liberating themselves from societal pressures and creating support networks that pave the way for new possibilities in Korean family structures.
However, current South Korean law specifies that only relationships based on blood ties, marriage between a man and a woman, and formal adoption are considered family. Initiatives aimed at legislative reform to broaden the scope of family composition have invariably encountered opposition from conservative groups, who were concerned that such changes could potentially grant homosexual couples rights and promote same-sex marriage. The conflict reflects the struggle between tradition and modernity in Korean society.
Photo from Freepik by svstudioart / 照片：Freepik
The motivation driving the formation of families without blood or marriage ties is to form a mutual support system for those living in solitude to ensure they never have to confront loneliness in their later years. Eun Seo-Ran and Lee Eo-Rie believe everyone should have the autonomy to determine their lifestyle. They hope future legislation will more effectively align with societal evolutions, thereby better meeting the diverse needs of the changing population.
南韓正處於關鍵時期。該國正在應對一個人口結構問題就是未婚人口增加和人口老齡化。這種情況被一位43歲的韓國女性殷瑞蘭的行動所突顯，她最近因收養38歲的單身朋友李宥利而引起社會關注，形成了一個非傳統的家庭單位。儘管這種現象在南韓並不常見，但風向可能開始轉變。
在韓國社會中，長期以來一直盛行嚴格的性別角色和父權文化。結婚後，女性常常被期望承擔主要的照顧者角色，負責生育、照顧孩子和家務。然而，這種範式已被女權意識的興起所挑戰，促使許多女性質疑和拒絕這些社會規範。這些女性正在解放自己，並建立支持網絡，為韓國家庭結構帶來新的可能性鋪路。
然而，目前的南韓法律明確規定，只有基於血緣關係、男女間的婚姻以及正式收養的關係才被視為家庭。在擴大家庭組成範圍的立法改革倡議中，無論如何都遭到保守派團體的反對，他們擔心這些變革可能賦予同性戀伴侶權利並促進同性婚姻。這一衝突反映了韓國社會中傳統與現代之間的兩難。
形成無親屬家庭的動機是為了使獨居的人提供相互支持的系統，以確保他們在晚年不必面對孤獨。殷瑞蘭和李宥利相信每個人都應該有決定自己生活方式的自主權。他們希望未來的立法能更有效地與社會演變保持一致，從而更好地滿足人口多樣化的需求。
MORE INFORMATION
demographic adj. 人口學的
patriarchal adj. 父權制的
prevalent adj. 普遍的；盛行的
paradigm n. 範例
feminist adj. 女權主義的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. forge vt. 建立（關係）；締結（聯盟）
The two countries have forged a strong alliance with each other by increasing trade.
這兩個國家透過增加貿易與彼此建立了強大的同盟關係。
2. liberate vt. 釋放；使自由
liberate A from B 把A從B中解放出來
When the army finally liberated the prisoners, most of them were extremely thin and sick.
當軍隊最終解放了囚犯時，他們當中大多數都瘦弱不堪。
3. specify vt. 具體說明
Before we proceed with the project, you need to specify the exact requirements and expectations from the client.
在我們繼續進行這項專案之前，你需要具體說明客戶的確切要求和期望。
4. legislative adj. 立法的
The Legislative Yuan passed stricter laws to crack down on drunk driving.
立法院通過了更嚴格的法律來打擊酒駕行為。
5. broaden v. 擴大；擴展
Reading can broaden your horizons and stimulate your imagination.
閱讀可以開闊你的視野，並激發你的想像力。
6. invariably adv. 總是；始終
I have terrible luck: no matter how well I take care of myself, I am invariably sick on my birthday.
我運氣很差：無論我把自己照顧得多好，我總是會在我生日那天生病。
7. homosexual adj. 同性戀的
The film explores the challenges faced by homosexual couples in society.
這部電影探討了同性戀伴侶在社會中面臨的挑戰。
8. solitude n. 孤獨；獨居
After a busy week, Regina felt the need for some solitude and went on a hike alone.
經過忙碌的一週，瑞吉娜覺得需要一些獨處時間，於是自己去了一趟遠足。
9. align v. 成一直線；對準
align with 與……保持一致；與……結盟
The company’ goals align with the needs of its customers.
公司的目標與客戶的需求相一致。
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