When a country’s population shrinks dramatically, it can jeopardize its future. That’s why many countries are concerned about excessively low fertility rates. Can we force people in tough situations to have children for the sake of the state?

Recently, China has also been experiencing a sharp decline in birth rates, which is causing increasing concern. According to one American media outlet, the cause of this phenomenon is the “one-child policy” implemented in the 1980s. China has now repealed this policy because the birth rate dropped after it was implemented. But young Chinese women who have already grown up under the “one-child policy” are increasingly reluctant to have children, and the birth rate continues to decline.

Many young women today, not just young women in China, are living under great pressure. They are being asked to work to support their family and be a mom at the same time. This burden is so overwhelming that some women decide not to have children. Still, it’s hard to escape the social pressure to condemn it.

There’s still a lot of work to be done to honor women who choose not to have children, and to ease the burden on those who do. Empathy and understanding, reduced childcare costs, flexible work arrangements, mental health support, and more. What can we do to create an environment where each person feels comfortable giving birth? Let’s find out together!