STUDENTS at two South Korean universities are being offering courses that make it mandatory for them to date their classmates as the country battles to reverse one of the lowest birth rates in the world.
Seoul’s Dongguk and Kyung Hee universities say the courses on dating, sex, love and relationships target a generation which is shunning traditional family lives.
Many young people have given up on courtship, wedlock and childbirth because of economic pressures such as housing costs, unemployment and tuition fees.
The steep decline in marriage has given rise to the new term: the sampo generation.
Professor Jang Jae-sook, who founded a “Marriage and Family” course at Dongguk University, said students were being taught how to find the right partner and sustain healthy relationships.
Elizabeth Warren says Trump called her after speech criticizing his record on costs
Bill Clinton scheduled to appear before Oversight Committee as contempt of Congress threat looms
Mississippi man accused of killing six in shooting spree pleads not guilty
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
Jack Smith to testify next week at a public House Judiciary Committee hearing
Nonprofit revenue totals surge amid growing scrutiny after major fraud cases
Trump imposes 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran
‘Disturbance’ at Georgia Prison Leaves 3 Inmates Dead, a Dozen More Injured
Trump rips congestion pricing, calls for immediate end: ‘A disaster for New York’
Minnesota sues Trump admin over sweeping immigration raids in Twin Cities
Data Is In: Homes Becoming More Affordable as Trump Admin Removes Illegal Aliens
Tyler Robinson prosecutors say Charlie Kirk shooting texts show confusion, not bias, to rebut conflict claim
Ex-congressional IT aide accused of stealing 240 government phones and selling them at pawn shop
Senate advances $174B package as Minnesota ICE shooting fuels DHS funding fight
Man Arrested After Attack on School Bus Seriously Injures 8-Year-Old Girl
She said: ”Korea’s fall in population has made dating and marriage important but young Koreans are too busy these days and clumsy in making new acquaintances.”
And as part of the course, students have to date three classmates for a month each.
Homework includes going on dates and discussing scenarios such as jealousy and conflict.
Ms Jang designed the curriculum to include dating in the belief that learning from real-life experience is as important as studying theory.
She said: ”Korea’s fall in population has made dating and marriage important but young Koreans are too busy these days and clumsy in making new acquaintances.”
Elizabeth Warren says Trump called her after speech criticizing his record on costs
Bill Clinton scheduled to appear before Oversight Committee as contempt of Congress threat looms
Mississippi man accused of killing six in shooting spree pleads not guilty
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
Jack Smith to testify next week at a public House Judiciary Committee hearing
Nonprofit revenue totals surge amid growing scrutiny after major fraud cases
Trump imposes 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran
‘Disturbance’ at Georgia Prison Leaves 3 Inmates Dead, a Dozen More Injured
Trump rips congestion pricing, calls for immediate end: ‘A disaster for New York’
Minnesota sues Trump admin over sweeping immigration raids in Twin Cities
Data Is In: Homes Becoming More Affordable as Trump Admin Removes Illegal Aliens
Tyler Robinson prosecutors say Charlie Kirk shooting texts show confusion, not bias, to rebut conflict claim
Ex-congressional IT aide accused of stealing 240 government phones and selling them at pawn shop
Senate advances $174B package as Minnesota ICE shooting fuels DHS funding fight
Man Arrested After Attack on School Bus Seriously Injures 8-Year-Old Girl
And as part of the course, students have to date three classmates for a month each.
Homework includes going on dates and discussing scenarios such as jealousy and conflict.
Ms Jang designed the curriculum to include dating in the belief that learning from real-life experience is as important as studying theory.
The crude marriage rate – the annual number of marriages per 1,000 people – was 5.5 last year, compared with 295.1 when statistics began in 1970.
Seoul has spent about £50 billion trying to boost the birth rate.
Story cited here.
