Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Two-pronged approach needed to counter low birthrate

Reference
The Chosun Ilbo (2009, Nov 26). Two-pronged approach needed to counter low birthrate. Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition): Daily News in English about Korea.  Retrieved December 01, 2010, from http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/26/2009112600651.html
Summary
             In this article, the author says that Korea has come up with a problem of low birthrate (1.22 children per woman) because of financial difficulty. Korean people think child-rearing costs much money, so that they will come to a lack money after retirement. That is, child-rearing expenses and fears of financial difficulty after retirement prevent people from having more children. However, Korea still doesn’t have beneficial welfare programs, while advanced countries offer effective welfare benefits. Therefore, the Korean government needs to consider not only easing childcare costs but also a welfare program for senior citizens.
Reaction
              Through this article, I can learn that the Korean government should focus on easing childcare costs and increasing welfare programs for senior citizens in order to boost the birthrate. Actually, many people recently don’t want to have children, especially more than two children because child-rearing costs much money, and people find it difficult to save the money for the future.  However, children are very important assets in our society because they can make the economy stable in the future rather than cost much money. If the birthrate decreases continuously, economically active population also declines and then economic condition will not be comfortable in the end. Moreover, people who support senior citizens will be needed. It is much more difficult financially for people to retire. Although child-rearing costs much money in the short-term, bringing up children is the most effective way in the long-term. I think that children are like a reliable insurance for the future. Therefore, theKorean government should support people’s having more children by offering welfare benefits.