The government here is getting pretty worried, because 2010 has one of the lowest birth rates. Now the higher-ups are worried that people are not producing enough to replace the aging population.
Our government is really good. First they play matchmakers, without success. Then they plan people's family lives for them, again without success. Then they give money to those who give birth, but to the couple in question, they will think it is not enough to raise one child.
No longer is it during our parents' or grandparents' times where families have ten children or so. I have many cousins and relatives because my extended family is very big. But come to my generation, I believe the pyramid will only taper downwards as families are getting smaller and smaller.
The government can do all they can to organise single events and encourage others to give birth, but what are they doing about it? Firstly, many people do not know how to mingle. Yes, they go for single events and whatnot, but what is the use if people go and then just stare at each other? The purpose of going to a singles event is to talk and mingle and make friends right? So if they just end up staring at each other or into space, then it defeats the whole purpose, and that is why there are still so many singles out there.
Secondly, even for people who meet, fall in love and start dating, many I know are unwilling to settle down. They do not see the need nor the urgency. They can have long relationships of nine years or so, but still do not feel the need to settle down. This applies more to guys who like to drag the girls on and waste their time.
When are guys ever going to get that it does not matter to them, but matters a lot to the girl because a woman's youth is limited and if she wants to settle down, it means she wants to do it before she gets too old to conceive? Hence if the guys are not serious, then please be responsible and stop dragging a girl down!
Thirdly, even for people who do intend to settle down, there are so many issues invovled. Housing, for one. What one pays for a flat here is able to buy a mansion, two luxury cars and a big piece of land in say Canada or Australia. With the amount used to pay for a flat, plus household expenses, plus bills, even in a duo-income family, there is hardly any left to spend on child-bearing. And no insurance, company or even the government is going to reimburse the amount spent on gynaecology checkups, actual hospitalisation for giving birth and any complications after that.
Fourthly, people are getting married later. This should not be the case, but it just happens to be. No longer are those days where people meet each other, settle down after university and raise a family. Life is no longer that simple. Nowadays often do we meet people at the wrong times. So by the time someone actually settle down, they can be well in their thirties or fourties, which for women, are biologically hard to conceive anymore.
Fifthly, last year, being the year of the Tiger, many Chinese still tend to avoid having kids during this period of time. Most will wait until the Rabbit or Dragon year to plan for a child.
Sixthly, in this fast-paced society where everyone is busy and stressed, it is also hard to conceive. When people are stressed and busy and they start having hormonal imbalance, the body does not have the proper environment to breed a child.
Hence, all these contribute to declining birth rates. But personally, I feel having children and how many one intends to have is a matter of personal preference. I always say I like to have four or five kids, but that was when I was younger. Now at my age, I wonder if I can still conceive even? Maybe I will stop at two, the most three if still possible, as lesser kids mean more time to cultivate and nurture them.
Perhaps I am not doing my part because the ideal number now is at least three kids per couple. But with the high cost of living, the lack of support and the amount it takes to raise even one child, can one really blame the couple if they do not intend to have kids or have only one?
Maybe if more benefits or welfare, or support is given (not just to the mother but also to the father), then perhaps it is feasible to have more children. But until then, having children is one's free will. No one, not even the highest authority, has the right to plan one's family for them.
Our government is really good. First they play matchmakers, without success. Then they plan people's family lives for them, again without success. Then they give money to those who give birth, but to the couple in question, they will think it is not enough to raise one child.
No longer is it during our parents' or grandparents' times where families have ten children or so. I have many cousins and relatives because my extended family is very big. But come to my generation, I believe the pyramid will only taper downwards as families are getting smaller and smaller.
The government can do all they can to organise single events and encourage others to give birth, but what are they doing about it? Firstly, many people do not know how to mingle. Yes, they go for single events and whatnot, but what is the use if people go and then just stare at each other? The purpose of going to a singles event is to talk and mingle and make friends right? So if they just end up staring at each other or into space, then it defeats the whole purpose, and that is why there are still so many singles out there.
Secondly, even for people who meet, fall in love and start dating, many I know are unwilling to settle down. They do not see the need nor the urgency. They can have long relationships of nine years or so, but still do not feel the need to settle down. This applies more to guys who like to drag the girls on and waste their time.
When are guys ever going to get that it does not matter to them, but matters a lot to the girl because a woman's youth is limited and if she wants to settle down, it means she wants to do it before she gets too old to conceive? Hence if the guys are not serious, then please be responsible and stop dragging a girl down!
Thirdly, even for people who do intend to settle down, there are so many issues invovled. Housing, for one. What one pays for a flat here is able to buy a mansion, two luxury cars and a big piece of land in say Canada or Australia. With the amount used to pay for a flat, plus household expenses, plus bills, even in a duo-income family, there is hardly any left to spend on child-bearing. And no insurance, company or even the government is going to reimburse the amount spent on gynaecology checkups, actual hospitalisation for giving birth and any complications after that.
Fourthly, people are getting married later. This should not be the case, but it just happens to be. No longer are those days where people meet each other, settle down after university and raise a family. Life is no longer that simple. Nowadays often do we meet people at the wrong times. So by the time someone actually settle down, they can be well in their thirties or fourties, which for women, are biologically hard to conceive anymore.
Fifthly, last year, being the year of the Tiger, many Chinese still tend to avoid having kids during this period of time. Most will wait until the Rabbit or Dragon year to plan for a child.
Sixthly, in this fast-paced society where everyone is busy and stressed, it is also hard to conceive. When people are stressed and busy and they start having hormonal imbalance, the body does not have the proper environment to breed a child.
Hence, all these contribute to declining birth rates. But personally, I feel having children and how many one intends to have is a matter of personal preference. I always say I like to have four or five kids, but that was when I was younger. Now at my age, I wonder if I can still conceive even? Maybe I will stop at two, the most three if still possible, as lesser kids mean more time to cultivate and nurture them.
Perhaps I am not doing my part because the ideal number now is at least three kids per couple. But with the high cost of living, the lack of support and the amount it takes to raise even one child, can one really blame the couple if they do not intend to have kids or have only one?
Maybe if more benefits or welfare, or support is given (not just to the mother but also to the father), then perhaps it is feasible to have more children. But until then, having children is one's free will. No one, not even the highest authority, has the right to plan one's family for them.
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