Leisure opportunities and inequality: Senior welfare center programs in south korea

Abstract

As Korea’s population is rapidly aging and the society transforming, development of efficient welfare services has become a key policy. Not only is the population of older people increasing, but their socioeconomic characteristics are becoming diverse and complex. Values of later life are also changing, from basic living support to opportunities for leisure activities and self-development. This paper aims to reassess the recent policy of delivering leisure programs through Senior Welfare Centers in urban areas. A qualitative in-depth interview was adopted to realistically observe the benefits and limitations of these Centers from the seniors’ viewpoint. Findings suggest that many seniors were enjoying the benefits of participating in various leisure activities at the Center, thus developing a sense of social involvement and well-being. However, such leisure opportunity was not always guaranteed, in that seniors who encountered financial difficulty and were committed to paid work encountered disadvantages in fully accessing the Center programs. Policy implications arise regarding how to recognize differences in seniors’ socioeconomic status, availability, and needs. © 2008 International Review of Public Administration.