(목요모임) [28 April. 2016]Thursday meeting topic

[susanna]

S. Korea’s marriage rate hits record low level last year amid economic slowdown

The marriage rate in South Korea fell to a record low last year, with only 5.9 marriages per 1,000 population, government data showed on Thursday. The number of marriages also hit the lowest level in 12 years while the average age of first marriages for women reached 30 for the first time. The changes in the overall marriage trend in the country seems to be attributed to the growing number of young people in their 20s and 30s who choose to delay marriage until they find stable jobs amid slow growth in the economy. The population of young people in general has also decreased last year.

According to a report released by Statistics Korea, 302,800 couples tied the knot in 2015, down 0.9 percent from a year ago. The figure is the lowest level since 2003 when 302,500 couples ringed wedding bells. When it comes to crude marriage rate, there were 5.9 marriages in every 1,000 people, which is also the lowest since the government first started collecting related data in 1970. With fewer people getting married, the country’s divorce rate also hit a record low level, 2.1 cases per 1,000 population, last year since 1997.

Lee Ji-yeon, an official from Statistics Korea, said that the overall drop in the number of marriages last year is mainly due to a decrease in the population of young people. In 2015, the number of people in their late 20s and early 30s shrank by about 200,000 from the previous year. The official also noted the sluggish economy that dragged down improvement in the country’s unemployment rate for those in their 20s and 30s is another factor preventing people from tying the knot.

With many young people postponing marriages until they become more financially stable, the average age of first marriages for both men and women went up by each 0.2 year from 2014 to 32.6 years old and 30.0 years old. It is the first time that the average age of brides reached 30 since the government started compiling data. The average age of men marrying for the first time went up 1.7 years compared to a decade ago while that of women increased by 2.2 years.

Meanwhile, the number of marriages in which the bride is older than the groom has increased last year, accounting for 16.3 percent of all marriages, up 0.1 percentage point from a year ago and up 4.2 percentage points from 2005. Of all marriages last year, 67.6 percent were couples with men older than women while 16 percent were those of the same age, both down 0.1 percentage point from the previous year.

Statistics Korea data also showed that the number of international marriages declined last year to 21,300, down 8.8 percent from a year ago. The overall number of divorces also dropped 5.5 percent to 109,200 over the same period. However, more couples in their twilight years broke up.

Last year, 32,600 couples that have been together for more than 20 years divorced, accounting for the largest group with 29.9 percent. The figure is 1.4 times more than 23,900 couples 10 years ago. The number of divorces led by couples that have been together for over 30 years also more than doubled to 10,400 last year from 4,800 in 2005.

There were also many divorces among young couples that have lived together for four years or less, accounting for 22.6 percent of the total number of divorces last year.

1 .How does the idea of getting married make you feel? Excited? Scared? Happy? Nervous?

2. What do your parents tell you about getting married?

3. Some people say that marriage is outdated (too old-fashioned and not needed), do you agree or disagree?

4. Describe your perfect spouse.

5. What do you think married life will be like?

6. When do you plan on getting married?

7. What do you want your wedding to be like?

8. Why does Korean's marriage rate hit low level?

The 10 Best Beauty Looks: Week of April 25, 2016

Photographed by Jason Kibbler, Vogue, April 2016

Last November, after a lifetime spent slathering on oil-free moisturizers and serums—and assuming that doing otherwise would make my oily skin even oilier—I was skeptical when my facialist, Mzia Shinman, suggested I give facial oil a try. I gave in, and to my surprise, it actually healed my skin from the inside out. As the temperatures rise and lighter moisturizers come back into favor, however, I begin to wonder: Are all face oils created equal? Can I continue with this miracle product even as summer approaches? “Yes,” says France-born facialist Isabelle Bellis, “but use the right oil.”

The right oil, of course, depends on your skin type. In the summer, our skin produces more sebum, “so it’s best to swap your winter products for lighter oils, like jojoba or apricot oil during the day, if you have oily skin,” Bellis explains. Acne-prone clients should look to drier oils, such as jojoba, hazelnut, and sesame, while those with dehydrated skin should opt for coconut, almond, or shea butter. And because sunscreen can be drying, Bellis suggests using a heavier winter oil at night, no matter your skin type. “Face oils serve to strengthen and protect the natural fat in the skin, which is necessary for proper hydration,” she says.

Those still afraid of breakouts, listen up: “Oils can help stabilize and regulate the overproduction of sebum, and actually help get rid of acne,” says Bellis, who advises clients to use Joëlle Ciocco face oil, formulated with vitamins A and E and a rich blend of omega-6 fatty acids to calm, repair, and protect the skin. It’s essential not to “over-exfoliate,” she says, adding that an appropriate oil will balance out “your skin’s ecosystem and protect it from the external environment.”

Here, a guide to the best oils to help get any type of skin glowing in no time.

1. Do you think beauty is the same for every person?

2. Do you think that different cultures think about beauty differently?

3. What do you think of plastic surgery?

4. What is the most common plastic surgery in your country?

5. What does “Beauty is only skin deep.” mean?

6. What kind of beauty contests are popular in your country? Do they have beauty contests for men too?

7. What celebrities do you know of that have gotten plastic surgery?

8. Who is the most beautiful/handsome celebrity in your country?

9. What makes someone beautiful?

[주영이]

토픽 감사:)