By Kang Shin-who
Staff reporter
Adoptive parents are showing a preference for girls over boys, with the former making up 65 percent of all children domestically adopted last year.
The figure is up from 61 percent in 2007, the Health and Welfare Ministry said Tuesday. Of 1,314 children adopted domestically in 2009, 855 were girls and 459 boys.
"In the past, boys were preferred over girls for adoption as parents were seeking an heir, but the rise in favoritism for girls these days reflects that the adoption purpose has altered," a ministry official said.
Experts cited several assumptions to explain the trend. In Asian culture, boys carry on the family name, but there's an idea that it is not necessary for non-biological children to carry on the family name.
Some point at increasing single mothers, who think girls are easier to raise compared to boys, while others believe girls are more docile and more obedient.
In the mean time, the number of children who were adopted in the nation has surpassed that of those who were adopted overseas for three straight years.
Of the total 2,439 adopted children, 1,314 were adopted by domestic couples, while 1,125 were sent abroad.
However, more children are housed at childcare centers and awaiting adoption due to the decreasing number of local adoptive parents and tightened regulations on overseas adoption.
Especially, disabled children still have difficulties finding homes. The number of disabled children who were domestically adopted stood at 29 in 2008, 40 in 2007 and 12 in 2006. The data for last year was not available.
Officials from the ministry said the government will continue to promote adoptions among couples as an effort to shake off the country's reputation as a "baby-exporting" nation.
Under the current law, couples who adopt children here are exempted from adoption fees worth 2 million won ($1,764) and receive 100,000 won per month in subsidies.
In addition, those who adopt a disabled orphan under age 18 can receive special financial aid from the government. The ministry has also eased adoption regulations stipulating the age gap between parents and adoptees.