Some argue that the rapid fertility decline in Korean society is due to the change in values but the others believe that it is due to lack of policy efforts in response to change in societal environments on a basis of New Home Economics theory. Identifying the causal relationship between the change on values and the rapid fertility decline is of academical
importance and also suggests an important evidence for the related policy-decision. This study aims at measuring the impact of change in values on marriage, child and gender role on marriage and fertility behaviors through applying the data on the 2005 National Survey on Marriage and Fertility Dynamics to the regression models. As a result, not only the socio-economic phenomena but also change in values appear to affect marriage intention of the single males and females
at ages between 20 and 44. The values in probable conflicts with marriage life show a statistically significant meanings. Socio-economic conditions appear to affect the timing of marriage. The single males and females with negative value on marriage and division of gender role tend to postpone their marriage. The number of children appear to be decided by
socio-economic conditions of the ever-married women(20~44). For the ever-married women, values on child, cohabitation, divorce, and gender role also show statistically significant impact on the number of children.
From this study, the following suggestions can be made; 1) the barriers of marriage should be eliminated and the education on value of marriage and family should be reinforced; 2) through revision of educational curriculum, emotional value of child should be strengthened in favor of child bearing; 3) education on gender equality should be reinforced to
foster fender equal and family-friendly society and culture; and 4) Values in favor of marriage, child birth, and gender role need to be delivered to the children and youth, which can be effective through establishment of population education system.
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