tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post8026120074612281674..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: Dearth of a NationMichael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-17972642724384824042011-01-08T16:31:30.090+08:002011-01-08T16:31:30.090+08:00It would be interesting to compare birth rates for...It would be interesting to compare birth rates for women working in different jobs. I imagine birth rates for women in the public sector would be much higher, because their rights are much better protected and they don't have to fear the type of reaction that Bryan's wife suffered.Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-73682942245866876382011-01-08T10:26:44.483+08:002011-01-08T10:26:44.483+08:00I think you guys make a strong point about employe...I think you guys make a strong point about employers and their effect on families. More and more corporations expect an all or nothing attitude for career movement.<br /><br />I cannot speak for Taiwan, but when my wife was pregnant with our son in Japan, the day she had to announce her pregnancy to her boss was a day we'll never forget. A usually gentle and caring man changed into a rude and curt old man. The entire management chain went from being friendly and appreciative of her work to trying to make every day a challenge. Her boss and his managers were very much trying to push her out of her job. <br /><br />And lets not forget that career-women are quite openly hostile to women who do not choose the same path too. <br /><br />I also think the cost of living is a major issue, particularly with housing. Even if one marries when young, it takes years of combining two incomes to be able to purchase housing where the jobs are.Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-35654728039766409552011-01-07T23:04:16.953+08:002011-01-07T23:04:16.953+08:00In addition to the issues already mentioned I'...In addition to the issues already mentioned I'd guess, part of the problem is the housing situation. Families need space. If politics would manage to handle the housing bubble they might make (some) progress with the demographic issue as well.StefanMuchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13041616398172997165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-12456745542370615632011-01-07T22:12:48.038+08:002011-01-07T22:12:48.038+08:00What we Taiwan really needs is an increase in teen...What we Taiwan really needs is an increase in teenage promiscuity. Problem solved.blobOfNeuronsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-46331615512226104442011-01-07T21:07:35.374+08:002011-01-07T21:07:35.374+08:00Taiwan could be a lot more wheelchair and stroller...Taiwan could be a lot more wheelchair and stroller friendly.Readinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-45778904637631100002011-01-07T20:15:40.510+08:002011-01-07T20:15:40.510+08:00As much as I consider most anchingban teachers to ...As much as I consider most anchingban teachers to be vicious psychotic harpies, I will say that they do do good work in getting the kids to understand their homework, pass their tests and finish their homework in an organized manner.jollibee's historyhttp://www.212articles.com/articles/73742/1/Jollibees-Short-History/Page1.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-26033984364881715262011-01-06T23:15:37.742+08:002011-01-06T23:15:37.742+08:00This is why the government is now actively encoura...<b>This is why the government is now actively encouraging young people to get married and have children, hoping to lower the percentage of unmarried females aged 45-49 to 18%, from 19% now, and to boost the number of children born to each married couple to 1.4, from the current 1.1.<br /><br />Since the projected avg birth rate for all females this year is 0.94, it doesn't seem that married couples are much different. Females, married or single, are just not having kids.</b><br /><br />I saw some statistics that suggested the main problem was that people are not getting married, but I can't dig them out now. The birth rate for unmarried women is likely to be particularly low because of traditional views that do not accept children outside marriage.<br />Many local governments also do not offer financial incentives for unmarried mothers.<br />http://www.idn.com.tw/news/news_content.php?catid=4&catsid=2&catdid=0&artid=20110105abcd004<br /> <br />The 45-49 statistic you show may be a little misleading because those women were in their twenties when the marriage rate was much higher. By the time women in their twenties now get to that age range, I imagine a far higher proportion will be unmarried.Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-48713593280229919392011-01-06T20:36:48.827+08:002011-01-06T20:36:48.827+08:00This is one of those policies I hope fails, and it...This is one of those policies I hope fails, and it will fail because the govt. as usual doesn't understand what it is dabbling in. <br />Basically every problem you can think of in this country would be improved by having less population. Put that billion back into programs to help those who are here and alive, now.lesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-82822026406025930622011-01-06T20:28:04.446+08:002011-01-06T20:28:04.446+08:00These are points I have made in the case of Taiwan...These are points I have made in the case of Taiwan promoting tourism to attract foreign investment. They won't come unless there is a sustainable quality of life.<br /><br />Furthermore, the housing bubble plays into this as well. Young people can not afford to have the space to raise children. <br /><br />No worries... we'll just import Chinese children to make up the difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-73707843465924953962011-01-06T18:27:41.554+08:002011-01-06T18:27:41.554+08:00M -- this article from last year....
This is why ...M -- <a href="http://www.cens.com/cens/html/en/news/news_inner_27451.html" rel="nofollow">this article</a> from last year....<br /><br /><i>This is why the government is now actively encouraging young people to get married and have children, hoping to lower the percentage of unmarried females aged 45-49 to 18%, from 19% now, and to boost the number of children born to each married couple to 1.4, from the current 1.1.</i><br /><br />Since the projected avg birth rate for all females this year is 0.94, it doesn't seem that married couples are much different. Females, married or single, are just not having kids.Michael Turtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-52766787074887767552011-01-06T18:03:42.945+08:002011-01-06T18:03:42.945+08:00Michael - I think you are absolutely right about p...Michael - I think you are absolutely right about providing a better environment for kids to grow up in. <br /><br />However, it is also important to remember that Taiwan's birth rate among married couples is not particularly low. The main problem is that people are choosing not to get married at all. Maybe they are too busy working overtime to get round to it. A more friendly environment for adults (and in particular adult workers)is also required. In contrast older workers are much better looked after - once you have been in a job for 20 or 20 years you can get 4-5 weeks of paid leave.<br /><br />More holiday time would surely help. People in their first year of employment in Taiwan are not entitled to any leave at all. Between 1 and 3 years you only get 7 days. Public holidays that fall on weekends are not made up - a move by some legislators to change this has been rebuffed. <br /><br />People working all those hours for low salaries desperately trying to get a foot hold on the corporate ladder don't have the time to think about romance and families.Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-11403675998795411192011-01-06T13:48:53.083+08:002011-01-06T13:48:53.083+08:00I talked to my wife about this and she said it was...I talked to my wife about this and she said it was for Taipei and the rest of Taiwan gets a lot less if anything. It basically depends on your municipality or county. I tend to believe her because she pays attention to these things and grabs every spare dollar she can. <br /><br />Considering what anchingban costs, I'd say it's a pittance. As much as I consider most anchingban teachers to be vicious psychotic harpies, I will say that they do do good work in getting the kids to understand their homework, pass their tests and finish their homework in an organized manner. <br /><br />$3000NT/month is diapers(the good ones) and milk money. Why does a 2 year old need a $30,000NT/year schooling stipend or even a 3 year old for that matter?<br /><br />I'd hit quality of life issues. Taiwan is a horrible place to have a small child. I'd like to be able to cross the road with my daughter without drivers feeling the need to run us down.Okami6noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-85686856188548272762011-01-06T11:57:26.212+08:002011-01-06T11:57:26.212+08:00"Focusing more on livability for kids would i..."Focusing more on livability for kids would increase the desire for people to raise their young here."<br /><br />That's quite an often ignored aspect, well pointed out, Michael. It's time to raise that voice for the sake of children, instead of just stacking up slogans and money for it.Hanshttp://harnh.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com