Abstract

Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work, Vol 6(2), September 1996 Report Preserving the Teenage-Headed Family as a Unit of Social Service Intervention Introduction Basic Concept of Teenage~Headed Family (THF) in Korea The Teenage, Headed Family (THF) in Korea is known as "so,nyon, so, nyo kajang sedae", which can be translated literally as "boy/girl,headed family unit." It is officially defined as: "Family,unit headed by a boy or a girl under the age of 20 due to death, disease (illness), or imprisonment of their parents, and thus the boy or the girl is directly responsible for the livelihood of his/her family, and consequently becomes a recipient of public assistance." It is a part of public assistance programmes to provide the THF with bare,minimum financial and in, kind assistance for basic livelihood. Many non,govemmental organizations (NGOs) have been actively participating in this THF program since the programmes officially began in 1985. However, both the public and private assistance for THF have been limited to responding to the economic needs; grossly neglecting psychosocial and developmental needs of the members of the THF. Basic Issues for T eenage~Headed Family Workshop Five basic issues are identified. First: Should the THF be recognized and preserved as