Why Are Parents in South Korea Locking Themselves in Tiny Rooms?

Seoul: To experience the sufferings of their children related to ‘social isolation’ and ‘anxiety’ and in an attempt to understand what their children are feeling, parents in South Korea have opted to confine themselves to tiny rooms for three consecutive days.

Parents here have decided to become a part of the ‘Isolated Youth Parent Education Programme’ which is jointly being operated by a non government organisation  Blue Whale Recovery Centre and the Korea Youth Foundation. 

“Happiness Factory” 

In the country’s northeastern Gangwon province, mothers and fathers have withdrawn from society and spend most days isolated in confinement rooms. These rooms are labelled as “Happiness Factory”. The program which spans for 13 weeks helps these parents understand the secluded inner worlds of so-called “reclusive youths”. 

Prohibited to Use Electronic Devices

These parents reside in single bedrooms with bare walls and are forbidden to use electronic devices. They only remain in touch with the food delivery guys and that interaction happens through a hole. 

Last year, as per a survey done by South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare survey, it was found that as many as 15,000 young people found that more than five per cent of respondents were isolating themselves. It was also found that isolation also contributes to suicide rate in the country. 

The survey revealed that their life satisfaction and mental health levels were significantly lower than their peers.

South Korea: A Country with Highest Rate of Suicide 

South Korea’s suicide rate is the highest among the wealthy 38-member Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It’s suicide rate is highest among all major advanced economies in the world.

At 25.2 deaths per 100,000 people, South Korea's suicide rate is the highest among the wealthy 38-member Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It is more than double the OECD average of 10.6 deaths.