The reason why a Taiwanese woman "doesn't want to have a baby" is revealed: her partner's lack of participation! How men can become god teammates
The female employment rate has increased, but the fertility rate has decreased. The GDP of childbirth benefits is 50 times lower than that of other countries.
With the equal rights of men and women and overall economic development, the employment rate of modern women is rising year by year. According to statistics, the overall labor force participation rate of Taiwanese women has exceeded half (51.4%), with employment peaking between the ages of 25 and 29, with more than 90% of working women. The labor force participation rate of women aged 30-34 who are in their childbearing years is also close to 90% (87.2%). However, professional women are struggling with careers and families, which has also resulted in late marriage, late childbearing, and low birthrates. The number of babies born has been decreasing year by year. In 2020, there will be no time for births, and the population will show negative growth.
Dr. Huang Minzhao, chairman of the Taiwan Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, said that in addition to men taking more responsibility for housework and childcare, Taiwan’s policies are also constantly optimizing related childcare policies. If the government amends the law in July 2021 to provide 6 months of parental leave for both partners, the insured can receive 80% of the average monthly insured salary; some counties and cities even have subsidies of up to RMB 30,000 per child.
However, Dr. Huang Minzhao also pointed out that Taiwan’s overall subsidy costs are still far lower than the standards of other countries. Maternity benefits only account for about one thousandth of Taiwanese GDP (0.12% in 2020), compared with 5~7% of GDP in other countries. The difference is more than 50 times. In addition to policies other than maternity subsidies, how to alleviate the pressure on women during pregnancy, childbirth and childcare is indeed a direction that all walks of life should continue to explore.
Accompanying childbirth and sharing housework can promote women’s desire to have children. “5 Guidelines” help men become God’s teammates
Therefore, Dr. Huang Minzhao said that according to foreign studies, more men accompanying women during pregnancy, such as attending prenatal check-ups and learning about prenatal care, can significantly reduce women’s physical and mental problems during pregnancy and childbirth, including depression, anxiety, headaches, and back pain. etc., it can also increase the chances of women receiving regular prenatal check-ups and ensure the health of mothers and babies. There is also evidence that men’s use of paternity leave and the balance between it and housework can increase women’s desire to have children.
Starting from January this year, the policy will increase men’s paternity (check-up) leave to seven days, encouraging men to take on more housework and childcare responsibilities to alleviate the pressure on women during pregnancy, childbirth and childcare. The Taiwan Obstetrics and Gynecology Association has also worked together with obstetrics and gynecology hospitals across Taiwan to encourage men to actively participate in pregnancy and record memories of each prenatal check-up with their partners during pregnancy. The event also launched the five guides of the god teammate “SUPER”, calling on men to support their partners through pregnancy and childbirth:
S (Support, all-round support): Accompanying maternity check-ups, accompanying meals, etc.
U (Use, use resources): Men can proactively consult resources, such as maternity manuals, maternity subsidies, etc., through associations, obstetrics and gynecology departments, local institutions, and even their companies.
P (Parental, parenting preview): Participate in the parents’ classroom and learn postpartum care work, such as wrapping diapers, making milk, etc.
E (Exercise, exercise for pregnant women): Take regular walks every day, practice maternal breathing, or consult a doctor for higher-intensity exercise.
R (Restrict, restrict bad habits): Stop smoking, drinking, staying up late and other habits that harm your health.
Finally, Dr. Huang Minzhao said that women’s fertility wishes are closely related to their partners’ involvement in housework and full participation in the period of waiting for childbirth. Among them, taking care of already-born children has a significant positive impact on women’s fertility wishes. Therefore, parents-to-be are encouraged to work together and be each other’s “god teammates”, which will not only help enhance the relationship between husband and wife, but also reduce the divorce rate and allow children to grow up in an environment full of happiness.
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