1. East Asian childbearing patterns and policy developments.
- Author
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Frejka T, Jones GW, and Sardon JP
- Subjects
- Cultural Characteristics history, Family Health ethnology, Asia, Eastern ethnology, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Humans, Parenting ethnology, Parenting history, Parenting psychology, Socioeconomic Factors history, Women's Health ethnology, Women's Health history, Women, Working education, Women, Working history, Women, Working legislation & jurisprudence, Women, Working psychology, Birth Rate ethnology, Family Characteristics ethnology, Family Characteristics history, Fertility, Reproductive Behavior ethnology, Reproductive Behavior history, Reproductive Behavior physiology, Reproductive Behavior psychology, Social Change history, Women education, Women history, Women psychology
- Abstract
Childbearing behavior in East Asian countries has changed rapidly during the past half century from an average of five to seven children per family, to replacement-level fertility, and subsequently to unprecedentedly low levels, the lowest in the world. This article analyzes fertility trends in Hong Kong, Japan, singapore, south Korea, and Taiwan using cohort fertility data and methods, then examines social and economic causes of the childbearing trends, and surveys policies pursued to reverse the fertility trends. Postponement of childbearing started in the 1970s with continuously fewer delayed births being "recuperated," which resulted in ultra-low fertility. A rapid expansion of education and employment among women in a patriarchal environment has generated a stark dilemma for women who would like to combine childbearing with a career. Policy responses have been slow, with a more serious attempt to address issues in recent years. Thus far public and private institutions are not devoting sufficient attention to generating broad social change supportive of parenting.
- Published
- 2010
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