September 22, 2005 12:33 AM
Yessssssssss!
Having a third baby really pays off for French women
Posted in Current Affairs | Permalink
Comments
I'm not sure how effective these programs are, although I love to see them. In particular I like to see the support for families even if they stop at one child - I do not mean to start a political war here, but in terms of valuing families and children, Western European (and Scandi) governments really put their money where their mouth is (mouths are?) far more than the States. Investment in early childhood health (in Switzerland we have a wonderful system called the Mutterberaterin, or mother advisor, which allows for free health and wellness checkups multiple times a year, from birth to age 6) and education (especially in France) is remarkable to see.
In terms of financial support for families, variations of the theme are common (I think) throughout Western Europe, but the birthrate doesn't seem to be changing much. Switzerland does something similar - in fact, in addition to a (very small) one time cash payment and an annual tax benefit similar to that in the States, my husband got an automatic raise when our son was born; nothing huge, but enough to pay for monthly diapers and wipes, with some left over to cover a portion of the clothes he so rapidly outgrows - and we have a lower birthrate than France.
Of course it will take years for data to come in to see how this worked for France, but I like the commitment nonetheless.
Posted by: swissmiss | September 22, 2005 4:40 AM
With all due respect, swissmiss, how much are you paying in taxes for all this great government support?
Most Europeans may enjoy lots of government freebies, but the right to homeschool one's children is restrictive to nonexistant in most European countries. I'd rather have freedom to raise my children as I see fit than have a load of financial support from the government.
God provides.
Maggie
Posted by: Maggie | September 22, 2005 6:59 PM
I agree with Maggie. I would prefer keeping the money we earn and spending it to meet our family's needs - with perhaps some help for catastrophic hospital bills. To me, the government's job is to protect and defend the people - not to smooth every bump in the road and keep us happy. I think the big difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives believe in individual enterprise while liberals try to create Utopia and in the course of their efforts the government becomes their God - so the big question in a catastrophe isn't why God allowed it, but why couldn't our government overcome/fix/prevent it? Just the briefest summary of my views on these complex issues.
Because I was a philosophy major and love to write, I could go on and on about this stuff, but in my blog I try to limit dicussions to how they pertain to the family. Because the government in charge does affect many people's worldviews and they often just go along with plan - happily or unhappily - without thinking of the deeper implications.
Like Maggie, I would choose personal freedom over security any day. But I can be friends with anyone of any political persuasion - especially if they're mothers like me :)
I posted the news on the incentive because it was a good sign that the powers-that-be are recognizing that Europe's attitude toward children - as burdens rather than blessings - has been a cup of poison. With birth rates below replacement level and an alarmingly fast-rising Muslim population (through immigration and a birthrate of what? 5, 6, 7?), Europe is in danger of losing its identity by default.
And I am very fond of the European culture - I like the literature, music, art, philosophy that is a large part of the melting pot I enjoy as an American.
Posted by: barbara | September 23, 2005 7:32 AM
Maggie -
For our income bracket, our taxes here in Switzerland are a few percentage points higher than what we would pay in the States. That's not insignificant in dollar terms at our income level but I'm okay with that. I like a society that has decided that we're going to pay a little extra in taxes so that families that cannot afford to go to the pediatrician every time the kid seems off kilter, for example, can go to the Mutterberaterin for free. Switzerland does not have national health insurance - we pay our own premiums and they're higher than what I paid in the Staes, actually - but if your family is below a certain income level there is government sponsored basic level insurance. Again, I like this. I like knowing that the kids my son will play with have had all their immunizations and get treated when they are ill. I'm okay with subsidizing that. My husband and I have been very fortunate, and we can afford to share the wealth a bit.
swissmiss
P.S. Gas taxes are very high, it works out to over $6 a gallon, but I'm a big fan of gas taxes, so I find that quite fine. Besides, public transportation here rocks.
Posted by: swissmiss | September 23, 2005 7:48 AM
Barbara--I agree that it is good that Europe is realizing that the low birth rate is damaging and is trying to do something about it...
swissmiss--point taken. I'm glad you live in Switzerland where you get what you want from your government and I live here in the US where I have the freedom to homeschool.
And by the way, my husband and I do share our wealth (one middle class income and 5 children with another on the way, does not make us wealthy). I would prefer to do that voluntarily, giving to organizations that will use our hard earned dollars responsibly rather than be forced to give to a government where our hard earned dollars are filtered through so many beaurocratic levels that by the time the money gets to who needs it there are only pennies on the dollar left.
Again, I'm glad there is a place for both of us to be somewhat content.
take care
Maggie
Posted by: Maggie | September 23, 2005 9:26 PM
Isn't it terrible that they are only paying wealthier women to have a third baby, not the poor women? I guess well off babies are preferred. Egalite? Fraternite? Liberte?
Posted by: Monika | September 23, 2005 10:00 PM
Maggie - thank you for replying to my comments so thoughtfully. I know I am not Barbara's average reader, and I hope I did not step on any toes or offend through clumsily worded comments. How amazing that we can have this exchange over thousands of miles and across a political/theological divide.
I certainly hope my post did not imply that I assumed you, or people in general, are not giving to charity. I know how much was donated after the tsunami and now again after Katrina. I know practicing Christians in particular tend to be quite generous not only financially but also in terms of their time and skills. I respect your desire to target your donations. I do that too.
And congratulations on your upcoming 6th!
Take care
Jennifer
Posted by: swissmiss | September 24, 2005 8:36 AM
oops! Read the article again. They are paying ALL women to have that third child, not only wealthy. I was impressed they were encouraging the women to stay home with their children.
I was slightly alarmed at the reminder of how the make up of France is changing...it is already assumed to be at 20 or 30 percent Muslim, and will probably continue to rise dramatically in the next 25 years. The Muslim empire no longer has to conquer only by war...Christian religions are giving away their majority by limiting their family size! Whoo-eeee! Get busy people! We need more babies raised in homes where Mom and Dad love Jesus Christ!
Posted by: Holly | September 29, 2005 2:36 PM
Thank you for your gracious reply, Jennifer. I admit to feeling a little prickly(pregnancy hormones) in general last week and I think I worded my feelings a bit strongly. I should not have responded so defensively.
take care
Maggie
Posted by: Maggie | September 30, 2005 6:14 PM
