한국가족의 변화와 가정폭력- 부모와 비독립 성인자녀 간 갈등을 중심으로 -

Abstract

Family is a crucial factor in the study of criminal activities. A closer look at family is important in handling criminal issues, especially conflicts that arise and domestic abuse between family members. This study analyzes changes in the characteristics of Korean families, focusing on the increase of families with non-independent children and the domestic violence these children inflict on their parents. For this study, official statistic data and surveys were reviewed. Data on family and domestic violence from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, as well as counseling data conducted by the Family Court on domestic abusers, were analyzed. Surveys from 91 university students on the relationship between parents and their adult children were also analyzed in the context of family values. The main findings are as follows. First, changes in Korean families and the relationship between parents and their adult children, as well as domestic violence inflicted on parents by these adult children, were reviewed. It is predicted that as the number of houses consisting of parents and their adult children increases, conflict and violence within the family, as well as support of their elderly parents, were expected to occur as a societal issue. Second, based on official statistics, this paper presented the social background to the increase of non-independent children, the characteristics of parent-child relationships, and the status and cause of domestic abuse by these non-independent children. Third, according to the survey on parent-adult child relationships, traditional values and modern values collided while the child still maintained a high dependency on their parents. This shows the heavy burden that the parent bears and how it may result in conflict between parents and their children. Finally, this study discusses how to improve parent-child relationships as well as how society should respond to the phenomenon of adult children’s decision to stay non-independent.