The aging
society
The
population of the elderly over 65 years old rose by 0.52 percent in a year from
2014 to 2015 in Taiwan (Ministry of the Interior Population Database, http://www.ris.gov.tw). The number was 2,938,579,
12.51% of the total population in 2015 while 2,808,690, in 2014. Taiwan is an
aging society according to the definition of the United Nations World Health
Organization because of the population of the elderly higher than 7%.
However, the birth rates have been decreasing for more than decades in Taiwan. The statistics has revealed by the Ministry of the Interior that generally women in Taiwan only have one child without a thought or a desire to give her child a sibling.
You
might figure out that means a couple has an only child and the ratio of the
parents to their next generation is 2:1. That is why the populations of young
generation have been shrinking year after year.
One
also wonders if it is accurate to jump to a conclusion that it is too difficult
to raise a child. The assumption is absolutely right! But, what difficulties
are they, financial, physical or mental?
The ages of
getting married and starting a family
There
are many young people in their 30s still staying single. They might not
afford to live on their own or with their lovers but stay home with their
parents until saving enough money to move out. The money is needed to spend
wisely. The average monthly salary for a college graduate is something between NT$ 25,000 (US$ 810) and NT$ 30,000.
That explains crystal clear why they feel reluctant to be tied to someone if
they already have one they dearly love.
What
about the timing? For a woman in her late thirties, the timing of marriage and
then carrying a baby is at the top of priorities of her list of life chances.
Both are one inseparable truly due to the minutes of biological clock ticking
away.
There come some problems a couple have to face if they really are planning to have a child, along with the income decreasing helplessly and the living cost increasing. The biggest issue is who will be available to babysit their cherished new-born baby if they are prepared to be a decent parent with a full-time job, especially after the mother is ready to get back to the fighting field.
If
she is able to find a Mr Right, she should be thrilled to marry herself out
before the time is not on her side. However, she might not be able to raise her
child, one, if she thinks thoroughly how less she could give to her child. That
is why fewer and fewer couples in Taiwan are willingly to be straitened for
want of money once they decide to have a child.
There come some problems a couple have to face if they really are planning to have a child, along with the income decreasing helplessly and the living cost increasing. The biggest issue is who will be available to babysit their cherished new-born baby if they are prepared to be a decent parent with a full-time job, especially after the mother is ready to get back to the fighting field.
The maternity
leave
The maternity leave in Taiwan is 8 weeks according to the
Article 50 of Labor Standards Act amended by Ministry of Labor on December 21
in 2016.
Women have been generously and officially entitled to
this amended maternity leave for eight weeks since last year. It sounds promising.
But, this benefits only those who are far and away the bravest ones to decide
to be a mother.
Compared to Asian Countries like Singapore, Japan and
South Korea, where women’s maternity leave is 16 weeks, 14 weeks and 13 weeks
respectively, the maternity leave, 8 weeks, for women in Taiwan is pathetic.
Bringing the lovely
life to the reality
Why is it a problem for the parents to take their baby to
the daycare center when the mother’s maternity leave is due and decides to go back
to work?
Is it they are picky or rich unhappily to find a public
one but prefer a private one or intend finding a nanny to come to their place?
The fact is the lack of offering daycare centers in every
city in Taiwan and the parents have to try their best to find someone to look
after their baby. That is an issue about the private sphere the government believes.
It is also true that it should be the
mother if one of the couple needs to quit the job because of parenting.
However, the double incomes are needed for most of couples to lead a tolerable
life.
Is
it likely to find a qualified lady to look after the baby before going to a
kindergarten?
The
fact is one wouldn’t like the idea of a baby being left with a sitter, a
totally stranger. It is much better to have a mutual friend or a go-between.
Besides, a sitter generally looks after more than one baby and it also causes inconvenience if she needs a
weekday off for some reason.
How
much does it cost to have the baby stay with the sitter for eight more hours?
The
fact is that the cost depends. Some couples leave their baby with the sitter on
weekdays and take the baby home only on weekends if they work irregular
schedules and night shifts or try to work extra hours to earn more money. The
pay to the sitter should be around NT$24,000 (US$ 800). If they take the baby
home after work every day, it costs them between NT$ 15,000 to NT$12,000.
What
is the best and the most important they can do for their child?
Their
life would be surely filled up with those of their baby even though some
breathing room is quite irresistible. That is why you might see how easy it is for
a mother who makes her eyes fill immediately with tears when something occurs to
her child.
Once
a parent, always a parent. The parents are believed to take pride in being a parent. Loving
their baby is ceaseless without end. They always feel that weight on their shoulders
and love in their heart no matter how old they are.
Life
goes on like any other day, and it is only a beginning.
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