Financial pressure makes many young people not want to have children
In recent years, the lifestyle of not having children or delaying childbirth has appeared more and more among a part of young people in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
For many people, having children is no longer considered a post-marital obligation but a decision that needs to be carefully and cautiously considered.
Married for four years, Ms. Pham Bao Chau (30 years old, Hanoi) said that she and her husband had discussed many times and agreed not to have children yet.
According to Ms. Chau, both of them want to build a solid financial foundation before thinking about becoming parents.
At this time, I don't think having children is mandatory after marriage. My husband and I want to spend more time developing our career, accumulating finances and experiencing married life. If we feel really ready later, then we will consider having children," Ms. Pham Bao Chau shared.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Quoc Bao (33 years old, Hanoi), working in the technology field, said that unstable income is the biggest reason why he does not dare to have children.
There are months when my income is very good, but there are also times when work is reduced. I want to ensure a stable living environment for my children when I have children. If I haven't done that, then not having children is a suitable choice for the current situation," Mr. Quoc Bao said.
According to Mr. Bao, in addition to financial issues, the pressure to balance work and childcare is also something that makes many young people hesitant.
Need to prepare financially before deciding to have children
According to MSc. Nguyen Thu Giang - personal financial planning expert at FIDT, the fact that many young people choose not to have children or delay having children reflects a change in their views on marriage and family.
Currently, many young people see having children as an option rather than a duty. When they cannot balance the goals of personal development with the responsibility of raising children, they will prioritize delaying or deciding not to have children," the expert said.
In addition, the increasing cost of raising children also creates significant pressure for young families.
Many people actively investigate the cost of raising a child and find that the total amount can be up to about 3 billion VND until the child grows up, not including the inflation factor. This figure makes many couples have to consider very carefully before deciding to have children," Ms. Giang said.
According to experts, the decision to have children or not all needs to come from adequate preparation in terms of finance, psychology and life plan.
For people with unstable incomes, building a financial plan and creating a contingency fund to cover expenses for at least six months is very necessary. More importantly, each person needs to consider their own abilities instead of under pressure from family or society's expectations. Only when they are truly ready in many ways can the decision to have children bring sustainability to both parents and children," Ms. Giang recommended.
