Woman's Decision-Making Authority

In a world where the average number of births per woman has decreased from 5 in the 1950s to the current rate of 2.3, the subject of having children has become increasingly complex and politically charged. This is particularly true in East Asia, where Dr. Eunsil Oh, a sociology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been focusing her research on South Korea's declining fertility rates.

Dr. Oh attributes the decreasing birth rates in South Korea to women being treated unequally and facing high pressure in raising children. The political background in the subject of having children forces women to choose between having a career or having a family, with no two-way street in the matter.

The conservative and traditional belief is that women should stay home and take care of children. However, in many societies, education is emphasized and prioritized, making it challenging for women to balance career and motherhood. This dichotomy is further exacerbated by the narrow-minded approach that often frames the subject of having children, disregarding the complex factors that influence a woman's decision.

In some countries like Germany, Italy, and Spain, there is a more male-breadwinner ideology, which can impact women's decisions to have children. The current German government policy focuses on supporting families and women balancing career and children through measures like parental allowance, plans to expand pension credits for child-rearing (starting 2027), and strengthening education and family services.

However, simply increasing family policies may not fully address the declining birth rate and women's concerns about career impacts and fairness in family roles. Dr. Oh believes every subject should be political, and the main goal to solve the issue of declining fertility rates is to create a society and a world where women can envision themselves having a family while still being able to achieve their personal goals.

The long-held belief that global populations will become too big is no longer a concern. Liberal beliefs argue that women should pursue careers, and the ideas for gender roles for women and the reasoning behind why a lot of women are choosing to not have children are often political, used to fulfill agendas rather than logical arguments that would better society.

Unfortunately, this politicization of the subject of having children has led to troubling developments, such as politicians using the issue for political games, suggesting not to educate women or requiring women to serve in the military if they don't have children. The recent turnover of Roe v. Wade and the rise of anti-feminism have further complicated the matter.

Science suggests the optimal age for women to have children is their mid-late twenties. However, societal expectations and political pressures often make it difficult for women to make the decision that is right for them. The projected fertility rate for 2050 is 2.1 births per woman, and it is crucial that we work towards creating a world where women can make informed decisions about their lives without fear of societal or political repercussions.