Commentary: China Needs More Than Slogans to Boost Its Birthrate

The evolution of social attitudes has seen contemporary women approach childbearing with more thoughtfulness and autonomy than previous generations. Now, women focus on self-determination and planning their lives, accepting the responsibility that comes with choice. However, they are also increasingly daunted by the “motherhood penalty,” a complex web of financial pressures, child care hurdles, career stagnation, and the loss of personal time, which collectively discourage many from having children. [para. 1]

Against this backdrop, the life of Zhu Ping’an and her husband—raising four children in a modest 650-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment in Dalian—stands out. Lacking sustained help from relatives or a nanny, Zhu has managed to optimize the family’s routines and space through careful organization, making their home both cost-effective and emotionally stable despite repeated moves between China and the U.S. [para. 2]

Zhu’s four children were not all planned. After marrying in 2008 and moving to the U.S., the couple had their first child by design. The following three, however, were surprises at what would appear to be inopportune times: during career changes, relocation, and schooling. Notably, Zhu and her husband always opted to accept each pregnancy, finding meaning in adapting to the moment rather than waiting for an elusive “ideal time.” [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6]

Living in such tight quarters, Zhu maximizes functionality by using custom tatami mats for shared sleeping space, opening up interior walls for better flow, and sometimes giving up her own bedroom. She applies corporate efficiency principles to household management—systematically eliminating unnecessary tasks (such as forbidding slippers to reduce nagging and chores) and cutting out “anxiety-driven parenting” approaches like excessive tutoring, redirecting resources toward what benefits the family most. [para. 8][para. 9]

Comparing her experiences in the U.S. and China, Zhu finds U.S. maternity and parenting environments more supportive and respectful. U.S. public resources—libraries, community centers—are more accessible and welcoming to families with multiple children, whereas in China, outings more often require expenditure and fewer activities suit larger families. Zhu stresses that a child-friendly society depends on practical access to free resources, not mere slogans. [para. 11][para. 12]

Beyond her family, Zhu is dedicated to building support systems for mothers, particularly those who experienced a loss of professional identity after relocating abroad. She began mothers’ groups for emotional and practical support, first in the U.S. and later in China, creating networks that offer information about community resources, free activities, and emotional connection. Since 2018, she has managed a national support group for large families, providing aid and advocating for institutionalized, sustainable social support systems. [para. 14][para. 15][para. 17][para. 18]

Zhu advocates for policies like flexible work arrangements and calls for opening community and school facilities to mother’s groups. She also highlights the vulnerability of full-time mothers lacking formal employment and suggests government-provided social security options. For nonprofits, she recommends building sustainable, professional networks with transparent financial management. [para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23]

Inspired by her journey and those of other mothers, Zhu plans to make a documentary series profiling 100 mothers who balance family and career, aiming both to share stories and empower women to realize their aspirations despite constraints. [para. 25][para. 26]

Institutional recommendations drawn from her case include stipends to offset the motherhood penalty (1,000–2,000 yuan per child monthly, costing up to 1.8 trillion yuan annually if paid until age 10 for 10 million children), more child-friendly public infrastructure, and professionalized mutual aid mechanisms for families experiencing crises. Systematic, tangible support is seen as not just encouraging childbirth but as an essential investment in society’s future. [para. 29][para. 30][para. 32][para. 33][para. 35]