Investigation and Research on the Actual Status of Youth Human Rights Compared with International Standards II Senior Research Fellow: Lee Jong-won Research Fellow: Jang Geun-yeong Research Fellow: Kim Hyeong-joo

1. Summary of the Research Purpose of the Research -To develop the subject matters of investigation for international comparison and survey in 2008 (Qualitative Index). -To investigate the actual status, by human right categories, of the local youth and to identify their relevant problems. -To suggest the policy direction and tasks by political categories to enhance the youth’s human rights. Research Methods -Questionnaires for the youth: 6,800 pupils from junior and senior high schools -In-depth interview of the youth: 50 pupils from junior and senior high schools -Telephone interview of adults: 1,000 parents who have children attending junior and senior high schools

2. Major Results(1) 1) Survival Right Category −Half of the youth subjects skipped a meal (breakfast) or more per week. −Majority of the youth neglected nutritional and health management i.e., not conducting regular physical exercise. −Not less than 70% of the youth attended school in spite of being ill. −A small minority of juveniles went to the hospital when they were ill. −A majority of juveniles slept for 6~7 hours per night, which was less than the daily recommended number of hours of sleep for the youth. −Not less than 70% experienced stress from schoolwork; ¼ of them considered their friends as competitors.

2. Major Results(2) 2) Protection Right Category −A majority of juveniles experienced physical punishment from parents, while not less than 2/3 of them experienced punishment from a teacher. −More than half of juveniles experienced discrimination by gender or by school record in their daily lives. −More than 1/3 of the youth who had part-time jobs experienced improper treatments for being juvenile. −A majority of juveniles discussed troubles/worries with their friends rather than with their parents.

2. Major Results(3) 3) Development Right Category −Most youth considered graduating from university or college is an essential condition to: get a good job; obtain a high-level spouse; and be respected in the society. −70% or more of the youth received private education but a majority of them doubted its usefulness. −A majority of juveniles had leisure time for approximately 3 hours a day, but the lack of cultural/leisure facility is the biggest dissatisfaction factor of all. −Satisfaction on friendship is at a high level, while less than half of the juveniles were not satisfied with their home life and school life.

2. Major Results(4) 4) Youth Participation Right −A majority of juveniles thought their opinions were neglected or passively accepted in the decision-making process at home. −Not less than 1/3 of the subjects answered that their parents did not respect their opinions regarding a higher level of education/direction issues. −A majority of juveniles had negative response about the controls related with uniform and hairstyle in their school. −¼ of the youth subjects stated that they can give their free opinions to the teacher. −In case of punishing pupils in school, only 10% of those who were subjected to punishment were given the explanation/reason why they were being punished.

3. Political Suggestions Systematic use of the Youth Human Right Index. ⇒ Investigate the Index in a long-term and continuous basis and publish the Youth Human Rights White Book. Build social infrastructures to enhance the youth’s human rights. ⇒ Introduce and implement the youth card system by reorganizing youth level. Establish the system to promote youth human rights policies. ⇒ Designate the department in charge of youth human rights and operate a policy consulting body. Build the youth human rights monitoring system. ⇒ Introduce and operate the youth human rights ombudsman system. Build the youth human rights protection system. ⇒ Establish and operate the “Cyber Youth Human Right Information Center.”