'Stepparents should not be discriminated against at school'

By Kim Se-jeong

The nation’s human rights agency said Thursday that schools should not discriminate against stepparents during school activities, despite national laws that differentiate them.

This came after a petition filed by a stepfather, surnamed Kim, who was denied membership of the parents’ committee at his stepson’s middle school. The school declined it saying he is not the boy’s biological father nor is he registered as his legal guardian.

According to the law, in cases of remarriage, a stepparent and any stepchildren are registered as “cohabitants” on the family registration document, not as a “parent or sons or daughters.” If a stepparent wants to change the record, he or she has to adopt the children.

The school and the ministry claimed that only legal guardians can be regarded as students’ parents and join the committee.

The National Human Rights Commission argued that it is discriminatory not to give stepparents a chance to join the school committee even though they live with the children and take parental duties for their wellbeing.

“Society is changing quickly, with a rising number of divorced couples and second marriages. We believe these changes should be reflected on how parents are defined,” it said.

The commission recommended that the school accept Kim’s bid to join the school committee.