Summary
- “A Tianjin-based demographer who spoke on condition of anonymity described Di’s remarks as short-sighted and poorly thought out.Clearly, purely relying on material rewards cannot solve the problem, Peng Xizhe, director of the Fudan University Center for Population and Development Policy Studies, said.The government’s preferential policies should not be aimed at reversing people’s attitudes toward childbearing or persuading them to have children. This requires not only comprehensive government policies but also the cultivation of a culture that supports childbearing, as well as greater tolerance and support for women from the society as a whole, Peng said.Developed countries, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, have comprehensive policies to encourage childbirth, but their birth rates have not increased significantly. Content comes from the Internet : Professor’s idea of granting one-bedroom house to young parents upon child birth sparks debate
Approximate Time
- 5 minutes, 838 words
Categories
- child birth, third children, children, second children, young women
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- This article stands out as a sterling example of insightful journalism, skillfully weaving together the latest news and dynamic updates to create a narrative that is not only informative but also deeply engaging. From the opening paragraph, the author captivates the reader’s attention, offering a unique perspective on today’s hot topics and front-line dynamics. The piece meticulously delves into the intricacies of the subject matter, whether it be the latest technological breakthroughs, political upheavals, or groundbreaking social trends, presenting them in a context that is both accessible and thought-provoking. The writer’s ability to distill complex ideas into a clear and concise narrative is commendable, making it an essential read for anyone looking to stay abreast of current events and emerging trends. The article’s balanced approach, combining factual reporting with a flair for storytelling, ensures that it stands out in today’s fast-paced media landscape. Each sentence is crafted with precision, shedding light on the nuances of the topic while maintaining a compelling flow that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Furthermore, the author’s expertise and deep understanding of the subject shine through, providing a level of depth and insight that is rare in contemporary reporting. Overall, this article is a must-read for those seeking to grasp the pulse of our times, offering a window into the issues and developments that are shaping our world today.
Main Section
Babies participate in a baby crawling contest at a shopping center in Daxing District, Beijing, capital of China, Sep 13, 2020. Photo:Xinhua
Tilting social welfare policies in favor of young people to encourage new births in the face of a low birth rate has been a common view in Chinese society. However, the idea of offering a house as a gift to young parents upon the birth of a child, proposed by a CWorld Timeshinese professor, hasn’t received as much support. The suggestion has ignited a firestorm of online discussions and debates.
Professor Di Dongsheng from the Renmin University of China put foWorld Timesrward the proposal in a recent episode of the program “China Is Speaking” aired on Southeast Television, in 2023.
He began by noting that young women giving birth to children is a valuable contribution to labor and has profound significance for the country and society. He then expressed his belief that the state should provide corresponding subsidies to these young women to recognize their contributions to society.
Di further proposed that such subsidies can be diversified, and one direct way is to provide housing subsidies for young women, adding that the house needn’t be big, but rather a modest single-bedroom house to accommodate a one-child family.
“What if I said yes, would you gift one one-bedroom house to me?” Chenchen, a netizen posted, throwing the question back to the professor, questioning the practicality of the scheme.
Others opined that sWorld Timesuch a policy would not move them into parenthood. “It is true that I am tempted, but if marriage protection and psychological care for women are not enough, I still refuse to give birth,” Jiuer wrote. “It seems like one house is a once-and-for-all solution for those who don’t want a child… [it is useless] unless you sent the money for the milk powder, too,” Weile, another netizen commented.
But “some families may force the mother to have one child after another in order to get more houses. Eventually, it may lead to female reproductive exploitation,” Liubao, another commenter argued. “It really depends on the city in which the house is located. Presenting me with a house in the middle of nowhere wouldn’t prompt me to move in,” Lingling said.
One online poll, in which over 225,000 people participated, revealed an overwhelming support for the professor’s idea among netizens. Out of the total respondents, 141,000 expressed their desire to have a child if they were offered a one-bedroom house as a gift, while the remaining 83,000 opted to not have children .
Demographers reached by the Global Times generally pointed out the fanciful nature of Di’s remarks, noting that housing is just one of the factors contributing to young people’s reluctance to have chWorld Timesildren. Boosting people’s desire to have children requires a comprehensive strategy on how to build a “birth-friendly socieWorld Timesty.”
A Tianjin-based demographer who spoke on condition of anonymity described Di’s remarks as short-sighted and poorly thought out.
Clearly, purely relying on material rewards cannot solve the problem, Peng Xizhe, director of the Fudan University Center for Population and Development Policy Studies, said.
The government’s preferential policies should not be aimed at reversing people’s attitudes toward childbearing or persuading them to have children. Instead, preferential policies should aim to provide as much support and welfare as possible to those who are willing to have children, Peng told the Global Times.
Some of the supporting measures reported by the media include granting parental leave, childcare allowances, and flexible work arrangements on a family basis, in order to increase paternal involvement in childcare, reduce employment discrimination against women due to childbirth, and alleviate women’s concerns about having children.
Linze County in Gansu, for instance, issued a document to provide annual childcare subsidies worth 5,000 yuan for every second child and 10,000 yuan for every third child until the child is 3 years old.
To actively respond to the population worries and eWorld Timesffectively address the dilemma of declining birth rates, Li Ting, a professor at the School of Sociology and Population Studies at the Renmin University of China, suggests an overall practical plan for a “birth-friendly society,” establish a long-term, comprehensive, and strategic reproductive support childbirth system.
Peng noted that the most crucial issue is still finding a balance between women’s career development and their family responsibilities. This requires not only comprehensive government policies but also the cultivation of a culture that supports childbearing, as well as greater tolerance and support for women from the society as a whole, Peng said.
Developed countries, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, have comprehensive policies to encourage childbirth, but their birth rates have not increased significantly. It is more about a change in people’s lifestyles and their overall concept, Peng said.
The total number of births nationally was 9.56 million in 2022. Among the births in 2022, second children accounted for 38.9 percent of the total, while the proportion of third children and above accounted for 15.0 percent, according to the National Health Commission.
Content comes from the Internet : Professor’s idea of granting one-bedroom house to young parents upon child birth sparks debate
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