China Dealing with Population Crisis as Chinese Women Rejects Pregnancy Incentives

• Neville Gabby
• 0 comment
• February 18, 2024

Now that China’s birth rate has dropped to a critical level, the Chinese government is encouraging women to get married and have more children but many refuse to do so. China’s birth rate has been in a free fall since 2017 despite the scrapping of the government’s previously enforced one-child policy in 2015.

As current data reveal that the nation’s present population of 1.4 billion is now dominated by ageing people the numbers could drastically drop down to roughly about half a billion by 2100.

About China’s Current Population Growth Campaign

Contrary to the Chinese government’s expectation of a baby boom after the one-child policy turnabout in 2015, the current population growth campaign launched by the Communist Party has not produced a significant impact.

The government had in fact, built new birth-friendly maternity wards and child-friendly preschools, while encouraging the opening of baby centric businesses. Moreover, the government is offering thousands of yuan to couples who will have at least 3 children as seen in propaganda materials strewn across public places in China.

There are even statues of couples or mothers with 3 kids in tow. Even textbooks have been modified to instil among young people, a baby-friendly culture of growing a family with at least 3 children.

While many have welcomed the change, the majority of Chinese women do not. They have become wary of the child-caring and child-raising responsibilities they have to face if they bring more than one child into the world. Still, the Communist Party includes as incentive to married working couples, longer maternity and paternity leaves.

Chinese Women are Rejecting the Government’s Population-Growth Incentives

There are reports about groups of parents and young women in social media sites who have become activists in a way, by refusing to be swayed by their government’s enticements.

Apparently, the trauma of the harassment experienced by parents under the previous one-child policy is still fresh in the minds of many Chinese women. Reports have it that the younger generation of women across the country have no intention of giving in to the government’s new demand even if enticements turn into pressure.

Actually, many in China are expressing resentment against the current measures being imposed by the Communist Party under the leadership of Pres. Xi Jinping. The Party’s latest policies are being viewed by many citizens as attempts to shape their private lives.