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.
Government shutdown hits DHS after Democrats blow up bipartisan funding deal over immigration uproar
DHS enters shutdown after Congress skips town without deal on ICE
AI tool Claude helped capture Venezuelan dictator Maduro in US military raid operation: report
Federal agent attacked and hospitalized during anti-ICE protest in Downtown LA
Pima County sheriff no stranger to controversy as criticism in Nancy Guthrie case ramps up
US military launches deadly strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, leaving 3 dead
Liability or useful foil? Trump takes center stage in Susan Collins reelection fight
Schumer’s ‘E. coli’ burger photo resurfaces after another Dem’s grilling skills get torched: ‘What is that?’
Rubio steps into Munich spotlight as Trump leans on him to carry Vance’s populist message abroad
Trump ousts judge-installed prosecutor; constitutional expert says Article II leaves no doubt
Texas Dem Senate primary fractures over race rhetoric as ‘mediocre’ jab, ‘oppressor’ remarks ignite backlash
Irish dancing groups in the hot seat after trans dancer qualifies for multiple female world championships
Mexican Restaurant Owner Under Fire for Offering ICE Agents Free Meals Fires Back at Leftists: ‘They Need to Look for Jesus’
Reporter’s Notebook: Bondi’s binder strategy turns House hearing into political firestorm
CEO Resigns After His Disturbing Jeffrey Epstein Email Comes to Light: ‘I Loved the Torture Video’
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.”
Government shutdown hits DHS after Democrats blow up bipartisan funding deal over immigration uproar
DHS enters shutdown after Congress skips town without deal on ICE
AI tool Claude helped capture Venezuelan dictator Maduro in US military raid operation: report
Federal agent attacked and hospitalized during anti-ICE protest in Downtown LA
Pima County sheriff no stranger to controversy as criticism in Nancy Guthrie case ramps up
US military launches deadly strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, leaving 3 dead
Liability or useful foil? Trump takes center stage in Susan Collins reelection fight
Schumer’s ‘E. coli’ burger photo resurfaces after another Dem’s grilling skills get torched: ‘What is that?’
Rubio steps into Munich spotlight as Trump leans on him to carry Vance’s populist message abroad
Trump ousts judge-installed prosecutor; constitutional expert says Article II leaves no doubt
Texas Dem Senate primary fractures over race rhetoric as ‘mediocre’ jab, ‘oppressor’ remarks ignite backlash
Irish dancing groups in the hot seat after trans dancer qualifies for multiple female world championships
Mexican Restaurant Owner Under Fire for Offering ICE Agents Free Meals Fires Back at Leftists: ‘They Need to Look for Jesus’
Reporter’s Notebook: Bondi’s binder strategy turns House hearing into political firestorm
CEO Resigns After His Disturbing Jeffrey Epstein Email Comes to Light: ‘I Loved the Torture Video’
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.
