Interesting well written article. A decline in birthrates I don't think is going to have an iota of importance to the overall defense of Taiwan. China has as I recall you said 1.4B billion with a B and Taiwan has 23M. Birthrate isn't going to close that population gap. Taiwan stays democratic due to their allies financial and military support. Colonel Monte
I had a similar thought in the beginning when I started the story. And I certainly agree with your statement about having allies financial and military support. However, I’m convinced that the situation would be different if we maintaining the population instead having such a rapid drop of the birth rate. I appreciate your comments very much.
Thank you, Elaine, for your detailed article about life for one doctor and all women in Taiwan. Tradition meeting the changes in the 21st century is an issue women in every country face. The threat of Chinese aggression adds an extra pressure for all of the Taiwanese people. Good luck with your journalism career!
Quite understandable why women in Taiwan choose not to have children, if the men think that working to provide income absolves them of parenting duties! It seems the birthrate is falling in many places for various reasons - Taiwan v China in the military sense is more dependent on international circumstances than population, because of the huge imbalance already being against Taiwan, but it is surprising that they can't find enough drone operators 🤷 That seems to be such a high profile role in Ukraine in the last year or so that you would imagine it would inspire others, but perhaps there is either a lag or a different attitude with Taiwanese young military recruits? Or does the Ukraine evolution in warfare not filter through to the general public in Taiwan?
Having drone operators to be sent out for training can’t sacrifice maintaining current duty. My previous article had written about how learning operating drones has become priority of both government officials and civilians.
The Qs this article raise are thought-provoking. I know that for years (+ probably to this day) Israeli parents would have 2 generations of children: one set that comes of age 10-15 years after the first set. Sure, you can maintain or "replenish" your population this way, but it's not a geopolitical solution to anything.
That said, I do recognize that shrinking populations can pose both practical and existential threats. But women aren't baby vessels. My body. My choice. If we want people to choose to have children, then they need a reason for why it's the right choice for them -- and for the children they birthand their futures.
Interesting well written article. A decline in birthrates I don't think is going to have an iota of importance to the overall defense of Taiwan. China has as I recall you said 1.4B billion with a B and Taiwan has 23M. Birthrate isn't going to close that population gap. Taiwan stays democratic due to their allies financial and military support. Colonel Monte
I had a similar thought in the beginning when I started the story. And I certainly agree with your statement about having allies financial and military support. However, I’m convinced that the situation would be different if we maintaining the population instead having such a rapid drop of the birth rate. I appreciate your comments very much.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Colonel Monte.
Thank you, Elaine, for your detailed article about life for one doctor and all women in Taiwan. Tradition meeting the changes in the 21st century is an issue women in every country face. The threat of Chinese aggression adds an extra pressure for all of the Taiwanese people. Good luck with your journalism career!
Thanks for your support 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thanks for your kind words, Joanna. We appreciate your support and are happy you found our article insightful.
Quite understandable why women in Taiwan choose not to have children, if the men think that working to provide income absolves them of parenting duties! It seems the birthrate is falling in many places for various reasons - Taiwan v China in the military sense is more dependent on international circumstances than population, because of the huge imbalance already being against Taiwan, but it is surprising that they can't find enough drone operators 🤷 That seems to be such a high profile role in Ukraine in the last year or so that you would imagine it would inspire others, but perhaps there is either a lag or a different attitude with Taiwanese young military recruits? Or does the Ukraine evolution in warfare not filter through to the general public in Taiwan?
Having drone operators to be sent out for training can’t sacrifice maintaining current duty. My previous article had written about how learning operating drones has become priority of both government officials and civilians.
The dog looks thirsty.
Can’t disagree with it🥲 the owner had a water bowl around to make sure she’s always hydrated
Really enjoy these monthly newsletters from Taiwan. Much appreciated. Thank you.
The Qs this article raise are thought-provoking. I know that for years (+ probably to this day) Israeli parents would have 2 generations of children: one set that comes of age 10-15 years after the first set. Sure, you can maintain or "replenish" your population this way, but it's not a geopolitical solution to anything.
That said, I do recognize that shrinking populations can pose both practical and existential threats. But women aren't baby vessels. My body. My choice. If we want people to choose to have children, then they need a reason for why it's the right choice for them -- and for the children they birthand their futures.