After the previous three articles, we have come to realize that Taiwan's low fertility crisis is not only rooted in complex economic and social pressures, but also in the recent childcare safety incident, which has cast a shadow of bankruptcy; and its impact on the future covers a comprehensive range of challenges from the economy and society to national security. In the face of this imminent demographic cliff, pessimism will not help, nor will grumbling change the future. Now, we must ask pragmatically: Where is the chance for survival? How can we find a viable way out for Taiwan's next generation and for our own sustainable future? The answer is not a single potent medicine, but a systematic project that requires the participation of the government, society, enterprises, and even individuals, and is centered on rebuilding trust.
Government policy guidance is the key to reversing the situation and rebuilding confidence. But policies must be precise, strong and truly responsive to people's needs and fears.
1. Rebuilding the Building Blocks of Trust - Strengthening the Child Safety Net (Responding to the Crisis of Trust):
Institutional reforms cannot be delayed: Thorough reforms are needed to address the loopholes revealed by incidents such as the "loyalty case". These include a substantial increase in manpower and resources for social workers, improvement of labor conditions, implementation of professional supervision and training, and establishment of a more effective mechanism for risk assessment and interviews.
Stringent institutional oversight and accountability: For child welfare organizations, such as the Child Welfare League, that undertake government-commissioned services, establish a mandatory independent audit and evaluation system with the participation of external experts to ensure that their internal management, staff training, and crisis management processes meet the highest standards, and hold accountable those who fail to perform their duties. Information must be open and transparent to public scrutiny.
Smooth cross-system notification and cooperation: Breaking down the barriers between the social, police, health, and education systems, and establishing a powerful and effective platform for information sharing and case study, to ensure that high-risk cases are detected at an early stage and that timely intervention is carried out. This is the basis for rebuilding confidence that "the system can protect me".
Expansion of public child care resources: Continuously and substantially increase the number of public child care centers, non-profit kindergartens, and quasi-public child care services to reduce the burden on parents. However, while expanding the number of public child care centers, we must give absolute priority to "safety" and "quality", establish a comprehensive mechanism for teacher training, evaluation, and elimination of unsuitable staff, and strengthen unannounced inspections.
Enhance the professionalism and treatment of childcare staff: Only by providing reasonable salaries, comprehensive career development and professional support can we retain and attract talented people to work in childcare and fundamentally improve the quality of care.
Developing complementary models: Encourage communities, tribes, and enterprises to develop childcare models (e.g., community babysitters, workplace childcare) that meet local needs and incorporate effective management and counseling.
Integrated financial support: Review the existing fragmented subsidies and develop more systematic support, e.g., tax incentives for childcare linked to family income, special support programs for housing (purchase, rental) for childcare families, and reduction of education fees for families with multiple children.
Mandatory implementation of friendly workplaces: Legal protection alone is not enough; labor inspections and penalties must be strengthened to ensure that maternity leave, paternity leave, and leave without pay for childcare (shared between men and women, and higher replacement rates for benefits) are both visible and available. Vigorously promote flexible working hours and work-at-home mode, so that work and family care is no longer a zero-sum game. The government can consider providing corporate tax breaks or subsidies to encourage the promotion of family-friendly measures.
Beyond policy, the subtle influence of social culture and values is a long-term solution to creating a child-friendly environment.
Deepening the practice of gender equality: From family education, school education to the mass media, we have continued to break the stereotype of "men dominating the outside world and women dominating the inside world", and to advocate that household chores and child-rearing are the joint responsibility of all family members. Encourage and support men to participate more actively in parenting.
Create a "child-friendly" atmosphere: Set up more parent-child friendly facilities in public spaces, and promote childcare support networks (e.g. temporary childcare exchanges, respite services for parents, and experience-sharing groups) in the community, so as to minimize discrimination and unfriendly attitudes towards childcare families.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Upgrade: Companies should consider the "well-being of employees' families" as an important indicator of sustainability (ESG), not just a cost or additional benefit. Proactively creating a supportive work environment is not only good for retention, but also an investment in the future of society.
Rational discussion of immigration policy: On the premise of ensuring social integration and cultural adaptation, the appropriate and planned introduction of immigrants may be one of the options to alleviate some of the labor shortages and optimize the demographic structure, and it is worthwhile for the community to openly and rationally discuss the pros and cons of such a policy.
Rolling revisions and long-term commitment: Improvement of the population problem can never be achieved overnight. It requires long-term commitment and dedication across party lines and generations, as well as continuous review and revision of strategies in light of social changes and policy effects.
Taiwan's chances of survival depend on whether we can face up to the crisis, heal the rift, and rebuild trust. This requires the government to show its determination to reform and implement child protection and childcare policies that can put people's minds at ease; it requires corporations to break away from short-sightedness and near-interests, and take on the social responsibility of supporting their employees' families; it requires the community to put aside its indifference and prejudice, and work together to create a warm, tolerant, and supportive environment for parenting; and it requires each and every one of us to change our concepts and take action.
This is not only to save the fertility rate, but also to invest in a fairer, more resilient, and more vibrant future for Taiwan. It may be a long road, but only by expanding from "my" concern to "our" collective action can we truly carry the weight of the future and allow the seeds of hope to germinate and thrive on this land.
