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China to cover all out-of-pocket childbirth expenses
(www.semafor.com)
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this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2025
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If I lived under an authoritarian regime, I would not want to bring a child into it.
The truth is that the strength of a democracy has little relation to the birth rate. If you live in the US, for example, you only live in a democracy if your income is in the top 10%. This has actually been studied. The opinions of the poorest 90% of the population have absolutely zero bearing on what government policy is implemented.
The US and China actually have similar levels of democracy. China forms all its policies from the CCP, an organization of about 100 million people. The share of the population in China that has any impact on policy is actually quite similar to the share that does the same in the US.
While you are correct, taking a piss poor example of democracy against another piss poor example of democracy doesn't really explain anything. I said authoritarian regime, I stand by that.
What democracy currently have population replacement birth levels?
I never said democracy equals replacement level birthrate.
No, but your comment implies it would be higher, even if that wasn't your intention.
Do you want to discuss things with the public, or do you want to debate the voices in your head and the things they told you I said.
All the ones in Europe (if you count them as democratic obviously)
I think you're imagining that statistics, because they do not. But hey, let's check. Name three European countries that have population replacement birth levels.
It’s true. The very poor people I’ve known in the US have believed that “the system is rigged” and they have little freedom and no voice. They believe they are exploited by powers far beyond their ability to challenge and the last way any of it would ever change is through voting, which they see as an empty, farcical gesture.
Ehh, the character of the regime doesn't seem to affect birth rates a whole lot. Brutal dictatorships that make China seem like a gentle puppy could have perfectly ok birth rates. E.g. Nazi Germany had 2.5 fertility rate in 1939 and 1940, it was their highest since 1922: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Germany
I really don't think the average Chinese cares too much about how authoritarian their govt is when it comes to deciding on whether to have kids. The consequences of one-child policy, economic prospects, stability, general cultural optimism/pessimism, social habits (and the effects of technology on them), etc. are all likely to be much more important factors.
Those are all directly and heavily influenced by an authoritarian regime, so in the exhale you disagree with me, while on the inhale you argue my point. ;)
Those are all directly and heavily influenced by all regimes in general, aside from the one-child policy which might be regarded as an authoritiarian policy. Shit economy making people not want kids works the same both in democracies and in authoritarian countries (in fact, the latter might even dampen the negative psychological effects upon the population through propaganda).
Dampen wifh Propaganda?
Bootlicker.
It must be fun when you just make up what the other person said and call them names over that. You homophobe.
It must be fun and tasty enjoying the various flavours of boot polish. Taste the rainbow motherfucker.
I live in a democracy and don't want to bring children into this.
I mean... isn't that just most of history tbh?
Most people aren't antinatalists lol
Children in China have better lives than those in the US.
And you're mad about it.
personable as always, .ml
As someone currently in China, I'd rather have a kid here than in the US.
There's a lot more random shit explicitly for children around, like malls will have basketball courts, arcades, playgrounds, and other things that definitely doesn't generate as much, if any revenue, so kids aren't just expected to silently follow their parents around or be on the phone for hours at a time. As a consequence, you see fewer outbursts of children in public. They still have a long way to go regarding mental health in other ways. A mother I talked to was confused that anyone could think it's possible to teach children to listen without hitting them.
As far as education goes, I see more small, private schools than the US, which worries me as it implies the public schools in the area aren't as good. It's notoriously stressful for the children, but then so is living with a real danger of getting shot at school.
thanks for your actually sensible and cogent input.
it's hard for me to understand how private schools can exist in China. i have a difficult time understanding how they balance / navigate between socialism and capitalism.
i would never raise my children in the US. the US has too many problems. we're quite happy in the EU. as you say, lots of children and family friendly public spaces around, and even as a part of private places they set aside spots for kids without cost.
Imperialist shill.
"Oh I hope my children grow up in an authoritarian dumpster fire. Rights are scary and I can't be trusted with them."
I agree, but how is that relevant to China? It pretty consistently has the highest government satisfaction rates in the world.
Edit: and before you accuse me of Chinese propaganda, that's data from western organizations like Pew Research or Ash Institute
Because they jail/disappear anyone who complains? Lol.
Edit: Without entrenched freedom of speech, surveys mean nothing but what respondants think their opressors want to hear.
Damn. Americans jail even more people and still have a lower satisfaction....
Dumb take. The data portraying that comes from western institutions like Pew Research or the Ash Institute
You seem to struggle with the simple concept. So badly in fact, that I suspect this is all disingenuous bullshit from a bad faith ideologue.
In the slight chance this is just a high level of ignorance, naievety or low IQ, here is my polite response.
Oppressed people won't tell anyone anything that can be used against them, western or not. Pew Research isn't going to protect them. The Ash institute won't un-disapear anyone. The people speaking to western, even academic sources still have to live under oppression when the survey is done.
Speaking to foreign journalist is a great way to get your family threatened.
https://rsf.org/en/chinese-regime-s-fierce-repression-journalists-hidden-behind-day-celebration
Edit: Never mind. For bad faith arguments I hereby award you a personal block.