Page 86 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Low fertility intentions in China

themes of having a preference for being single, seeking games, reading novels, watching movies and TV, indulging
personal gratification and enjoyment, longing for freedom, in gossip, and aspiring to travel and see the world,
and prioritizing self-care. This theme was based on the suggesting a significant value placed on these sources of
philosophical concept of Individualism defined by Hofstede pleasures and experiences, aligning with the principles of
(2010), which was explained in more detail in section 2.6 hedonism. This lifestyle choice underscores a preference
(Development of themes). for immediate gratification and the enjoyment of life’s
pleasures over traditional responsibilities or societal
Although not ranked as the most important in the Weibo
poll, the desire to prioritize oneself was frequently cited as expectations, such as starting a family or raising a child.
a fundamental constraint on family size, particularly limits Besides, another discourse the respondents used in
beyond having one child. The most pronounced sub- accounting for their preference for no second child was
factor within this theme is the preference for singlehood. an appeal for personal freedom. Respondent 10’s account
Respondents 7 and 8 provide two stronger examples of makes the strongest reference to this sub-factor:
how their preference for singlehood is influencing their Respondent 10:
fertility intentions: “When I’m alone, I never long for someone to
Respondent 7: visit me; I relish my freedom. But after having a
“I don’t even want to have one child, let alone get child, and now that he’s grown and left to create his
married...and now you’re asking me about a second world, I find myself alone again, yearning for his
child.” return, longing for a visit. Having a child means
having worries; the carefree life is no more. Raising
Respondent 8: one child is challenging enough; I see no reason to
“Being single is so good.” endure twice the hardship.”
Respondent 7 explicitly expressed a preference for Respondent 10 expressed contentment with solitude
remaining single, highlighting a deliberate choice against and freedom, revealing a preference for an unencumbered,
traditional life milestones of marriage and parenthood. autonomous lifestyle. In addition, their reluctance to take
His statement reflects a personal lifestyle decision that on the increased worries and responsibilities of raising
deviates from societal expectations of forming a family more children reflects an individualistic values orientation,
unit, encompassing both the rejection of marital life and highlighting a prioritization of personal independence
the idea of having offspring, including the possibility of a over societal or familial expectations.
second child.
Along the same vein, the respondents’ reason for
Both statements underscore a deep-rooted inclination not having a second child showed their focus on self-
toward singlehood and an aversion to the commitments of improvement, which was in line with their individualistic
marriage and childrearing. They highlighted the growing values orientation. The account below reflects this
societal trend toward valuing personal autonomy over perspective:
traditional family structures. It further highlighted the
conscious decision to prioritize individualistic values that Respondent 11:
are always rooted in singlehood, showing a shift in societal “Be beautiful, be sexy, have a great figure, and
values in which individual lifestyle, personal development, always strive for self-improvement!”
and freedom are increasingly valued over adhering to Respondent 11’s emphatic declaration of prioritizing
conventional familial roles. beauty, sexiness, maintaining a desirable figure, and
continual self-improvement highlighted a strong focus
Hedonism stands out as another notable sub-factor.
The following statement aptly illustrates this viewpoint: on personal growth. This stance resonates with the factor
of Individualistic values orientation, as it underscores a
Respondent 9: commitment to self-focused goals and personal aspirations
“I haven’t had enough time to play games, read over conventional societal roles, such as parenthood.
novels, watch movies and TV, gossip. I still want to Overall, the respondents’ accounts suggest that they
travel and see the world in the future.”
were keen to orient themselves with individualistic values
Respondent 9’s comment reflected a hedonistic by valuing their lifestyles, pursuing pleasure, personal
perspective, prioritizing personal enjoyment and the freedom, and personal development instead of adhering
pursuit of pleasure. Respondent 9 expresses a desire to to conventional familial expectations. These values shaped
continue engaging in leisure activities, such as playing their low fertility intentions for a second child.

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 80 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5124