[Square] COVID-19, the Role of the State, and Low Birthrate

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) revealed two contrasting aspects of the role of the state. One is distrust, and the other is trust.

First, let us look at distrust. In terms of speed and scale, South Korea has expanded its national welfare at a very rapid pace and growth rate among OECD member countries since the 2000s. Nevertheless, we are accustomed to a life of self-reliance. Compared to the dazzling economic growth during the industrialization era, the share of national welfare was meager, and at that time, the unit of self-reliance was the family. Now, at the threshold of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, corporate growth does not lead to employment expansion, and the model of the male breadwinner supporting the family is no longer valid. At this point, the unit of self-reliance is the individual. The ultra-low birthrate phenomenon, which is difficult to find in any other country in the world, has been the main cause for nearly 20 years. In the anxiety of not knowing what tomorrow will bring, meeting someone, having children, and raising them is no longer natural. It has become a matter of intense deliberation and decision-making.

COVID-19 was just another uncertainty for us, who were already accustomed to surviving on our own in an anxious situation. Regardless of what the state did, we all started hiding behind masks. Fortunately, masks were not very expensive products. Therefore, despite the initial price surge, the cost was not at a catastrophic level that would lead to household bankruptcy. Most people could rely on masks for self-reliance. Europeans, who underestimated COVID-19 as just a common cold virus and trusted their national healthcare systems, have only now begun to seek masks.

However, as time passed, we began to see a different side of the state. We witnessed the national health insurance-based healthcare system working far better than in countries like the United States. We saw scenes of dedication even as public officials collapsed from overwork. Moreover, the opposition party, which had consistently opposed the government's COVID-19 response for political reasons, was harshly judged by voters in the April 15 general election. People began to trust that not only their own masks but also the state was responding to the fear and anxiety caused by the virus. Furthermore, the concept of 'public' masks has now even emerged.

Along with 20 years of ultra-low birthrate, the state has failed to gain the trust of us, especially women as the 'only entity' capable of giving birth, and has made futile efforts. The response to low birthrate was based on an 'input-output' approach, as if saying, "I'm giving you money, so why don't you have children?" How could women not cry out, "Government, no matter how much you show off, will I get married? I'll live with my cat (protest in front of the government building on February 27, 2017)"? Increasing the basic old-age pension reduces elderly poverty rates in proportion to the amount invested. However, increasing childbirth incentives does not increase the sound of children crying. A happy environment where one can have children and live well is not determined by money alone.

In a situation dominated by life’s uncertainties, the fundamental cause and responsibility for low birthrate lie with the state that has left individuals and families to fend for themselves. Over 20 years of ultra-low birthrate, the state has ignored gender discrimination. It assumed that raising childbirth incentives would directly lead to more births. However, people respond to life’s anxieties by wearing the mask of low birthrate. The starting point for removing that mask lies in restoring and building trust in the state. When we can witness the state’s transformation based on improving quality of life and a vision of gender equality, the problem of low birthrate will finally find a starting point for resolution.

Jung Jae-hoon, Professor, Department of Social Welfare, Seoul Women’s University

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.