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East Asian Childbearing Patterns and Policy Developments
Author(s) -
Frejka Tomas,
Jones Gavin W.,
Sardon JeanPaul
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
population and development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.836
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1728-4457
pISSN - 0098-7921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2010.00347.x
Subject(s) - postponement , fertility , sub replacement fertility , political science , economic growth , social policy , east asia , demographic economics , population , demography , geography , birth rate , sociology , economics , china , operations management , law
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.