Page 88 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Low fertility intentions in China

This narrative underscores the intensive nature of limited access to childcare – and subjective perceptions of
childcare, especially in the absence of a broader support these conditions critically shape fertility intentions. For
network, and its consequent effect on personal well-being instance, several studies, such as those by Cai (2010), and
and future family planning. The weight of childcare became Brauner-Otto and Geist (2018), have emphasized the need
even more pronounced without the support of extended to consider both financial and social preconditions when
family. Respondent 17 vividly illustrated the exhaustion. Such evaluating childbearing decisions. Respondents in our
expressions bring to light the sheer magnitude of the task, study frequently cited their inability to secure affordable
especially when raising even a single child feels daunting. housing, the high cost of education, and the overall
financial burden of raising children as significant reasons
Further reinforcing this theme, Respondent 18
described their post-work routine as entirely consumed by for delaying or foregoing family expansion.
childcare responsibilities: What is especially striking is how subjective aspects
of unmet preconditions – such as the perceived
Respondent 18: irresponsibility of having a second child during a period of
“After work, I have to look after the child. I also
have to manage everything for the child, and I financial instability and societal pressure to meet intensive
parenting standards – compound the objective barriers.
genuinely don’t have the energy for a second child.”
Many respondents felt that, despite having access to
This account illustrates the exhaustive nature of certain economic resources, the expectations surrounding
balancing a career with the demands of parenting, leaving parenting quality and the need to provide the “best” for
little room for adding another child to their family. their children made them reluctant to expand their
Overall, these accounts collectively highlight the families. This aligns with Chen’s (2015) research, which
Childcare burden as a significant factor in respondents’ suggests that preconditions for childbearing are often set
decisions against having more children. The narratives higher due to cultural and societal pressures. In our study,
reveal a common thread of profound physical and emotional respondents frequently expressed concerns that having
exhaustion, coupled with a drastic reduction in personal more than one child would compromise the quality of care
time and freedom. Respondents expressed a consistent and attention they could provide, a sentiment that mirrors
theme of the overwhelming nature of childcare, shaping conclusions drawn by demographic scholars such as
their perspectives and decisions regarding expanding their Berrington (2004), Testa (2012), Ajzen and Klobas (2013)
families. This theme underscores the reality of parenting as argue that subjective perceptions of resource adequacy,
an all-encompassing, life-altering commitment, influencing financial readiness, parenting standard, and the ability to
individuals’ fertility intentions, and family planning. provide quality care often lead parents to limit family size.
Moreover, echoed by McDonald (2008) and Matysiak et al.
4. Discussion (2021) findings, even those who met traditional markers
of economic stability often expressed feelings of financial
This study suggests that there are two key factors insecurity and uncertainty about their ability to provide a
driving low fertility intentions among Chinese netizens: stable environment for additional children.
Objective and subjective unmet preconditions, as well as
individualistic value orientation. These factors are critical The comments that pertain to the theme of one-and-
in understanding contemporary fertility behaviors and done parenting by choice also mirrored this subjective
provide important insights for the development of family perception of unmet preconditions. The finding aligns
planning policies that can ensure long-term demographic with the growing trend of “one-and-done” parenting by
sustainability. In addition, the study reveals additional choice that has been observed in other developed nations,
complexities in fertility choices, including one-and-done where parents opt to invest heavily in a single child to
parenting, the conscious decision to remain childless, ensure their success, rather than spreading their resources
and the burden of childcare, which are intricately linked across multiple children (Balbo et al., 2013).
to the overarching themes of unmet preconditions and Policymakers must recognize that addressing unmet
individualistic values orientation. preconditions for family expansion requires a multifaceted
approach that goes beyond financial incentives. While
4.1. Addressing the perceived unmet preconditions: economic support is undeniably important, it alone
The role of policy in alleviating economic and social- cannot resolve the underlying challenges. Social-
psychological barriers to family expansion
psychological barriers – including parental expectations,
Our findings show that both objective unmet preconditions perceived readiness, and societal pressures to meet
– such as financial instability, housing unaffordability, and idealized standards of parenting – play a significant role

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 82 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5124