Why Is South Korean Govt Hosting Blind Dates For Young Women?

Amidst the festive ambience of Christmas melodies, a hundred eager individuals recently converged at a distinguished hotel near Seoul, adorned in their finest attire and sporting name tags, all with a singular purpose: to find love. However, this wasn't just a typical matchmaking event; it was a mass blind-dating initiative organised by the forward-thinking Seongnam city government.

The backdrop to this event is the concerning decline in birth rates in a nation where the allure of marriage and the excitement towards parenthood have taken a noticeable nosedive.

The Competitive Quest for Love

As participants in their twenties and thirties sat in anticipation, a relationship coach initiated the proceedings with a lively rock-paper-scissor game, swiftly transforming the room into a lively arena of chatter and laughter. Seongnam City, driven by a commitment to facilitating matches, went the extra mile, providing red wine, chocolates, games, free make-up services, and even background checks for the singles involved. The competitive spirit was palpable, with Lee Yu-mi, a 36-year-old city government employee, admitting to applying three times before securing her coveted spot at the event.

After five rounds of events throughout the year, 198 individuals emerged as "couples," exchanging contacts amidst the festive ambience carefully curated by Seongnam City.

A Nation's Plea

The backdrop of this amorous spectacle is South Korea's staggering fertility rate, which plummeted to a record low of 0.78 last year. A country that boasts the lowest expected number of children per woman globally faces a profound demographic crisis. Critics argue that blind-dating events alone cannot address the root causes behind the reluctance to marry and start families, citing exorbitant housing and education costs as primary deterrents.

Seoul's Contemplation

While Seongnam took the leap, the South Korean capital, Seoul, contemplated a similar initiative. However, it faced criticism over concerns about the allocation of taxpayers' money and the failure to address the root causes behind declining marriage rates, notably the exorbitant costs of housing and education.

Rise of the 4B Feminist Movement in South Korea

Less than one child per woman on average—a statistic that tells a story of societal unrest—this alarming decline is intricately tied to a societal paradigm known as the "4B Movement."

The 4B movement emerged in response to the oppressive patriarchal practices deeply embedded in South Korean society. Women, burdened with the sole responsibility for domestic chores, parenting, and caregiving for elderly in-laws, began to question and resist these age-old expectations. South Korean women also face relentless societal pressure to adhere to strict beauty standards. The expectation to maintain physical and sexual desirability drives women to invest significant time and money in their appearance.

The 4B Principles

Bihon: Rejecting Heterosexual Marriage

At the core of the 4B movement is the rejection of heterosexual marriage, known as "Bihon." Women within the movement are reclaiming their autonomy, challenging the societal expectation that women should prioritize marriage over personal goals and aspirations.

Bichulsan: Resisting the Pressure to Have Children

"Bichulsan" embodies the refusal to succumb to societal expectations of becoming mothers. Women in the 4B movement reject the notion that their worth is tied to motherhood, challenging the traditional role imposed upon them by a male-dominated society.

Biyeonae: Defying Conventional Dating Norms

"Biyeonae" represents the rejection of conventional dating norms. The movement empowers women to embrace their independence and resist the societal pressure to conform to traditional dating expectations.

Bisekseu: Rejecting Heterosexual Sexual Relationships

The 4B movement goes a step further by challenging the expectations surrounding heterosexual sexual relationships. "Bisekseu" reflects the refusal to engage in relationships that do not align with women's desires and autonomy.

Gendered Challenges and Their Impact

Rooted in a desire to combat South Korea's oppressive gender norms, the 4B Movement has given rise to phenomena such as the "birth strike" and "marriage strike." These, in turn, have become pervasive trends, contributing significantly to the nation's staggering decline in fertility rates.

As South Korea's population ages, a looming demographic imbalance poses serious economic and military challenges. This trend has reverberated globally, inspiring similar movements in China and Japan.

The Road Ahead

Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin remains steadfast in his belief that fostering positive views on marriage is pivotal to reversing the declining birth rates. He acknowledges that these blind-dating events are just one facet of a multifaceted approach, recognising the need for a comprehensive strategy to create an environment conducive to marriage and family life.

Seongnam's mass blind-dating event stands as a bold experiment in rekindling the flames of love and addressing a critical societal issue. As South Korea grapples with a record-low fertility rate, initiatives like these spark conversations and actions. The success of such endeavours may hinge on a holistic approach, incorporating not just romantic connections but also policies that directly support pregnancy, child delivery, and parenting.

Only time will tell if Seongnam's innovative approach will be a catalyst for change, inspiring other regions to think creatively and act decisively in the pursuit of a brighter demographic future.