Thread

1. pydry · 1790806507 · focus · HN ↗

   this is their third attempt at a government run dating service I think :/

   it's low key kind of funny how they keep reaching for the quick fix to their collapsed birth rates instead of changing the things that would cost real money or make them less desirable to foreign investors.

   1. aw4rzs · 1790808660 · focus · HN ↗

      What things could Singapore change to fix their birth rates? Empirically, nothing that any country is trying is working.

      1. PorciiVorbesc · 1790809893 · focus · HN ↗

         >nothing that any country is trying is working.

         Because most countries aren't actually trying anything nor can the government do much in that regard when the issues are cultural and emotional.

         The low-birthrate couples who can't/don't want kids aren't suddenly gonna want them if you give them 3 months of paid maternity leave and a monthly stipend or other such welfare perks.

         And those who do have kids because of government welfare perks, were having kids anyway, they're now incentivized to have even more.

         1. nemomarx · 1790814047 · focus · HN ↗

            3 months of leave or a small welfare payment are not sufficiently compelling alternatives to a career. Pay them at the level of a career and see if that changes the numbers - I feel like at least some people would be interested in that. (Say, median national income? Spitballing here)

            The countries that do try seem to fall short of actually replacing even a few years of serious career work and offer no way to go back to that career after taking care of children for a while, so you just need to do that.

            1. PorciiVorbesc · 1790865624 · focus · HN ↗

               > Pay them at the level of a career

               In what way? Pay them a six figure salary to stay home with kids for a few years?

               >seem to fall short of actually replacing even a few years of serious career work

               Where would that money come from? How high would the taxes have to be? Why would anyone start a business to hire in that country with such a massive cost for them they can't afford?

               The welfare state only works if it's a safety net, not a 1:1 replacement for working wages.

               1. nemomarx · 1790866518 · focus · HN ↗

                  In the US you might need it to be a five figure salary, sure. 50k? We could probably figure out the math on it.

                  Working out the logistics of paying for it is another matter, but if it's too expensive then you can't really complain about the low birthrate - either the state pays or the people do for all that time spent on raising kids. People who rationally choose to skip that time to work or do other things need to be motivated somehow if you want the kids, right?

                  So ultimately it depends on how seriously you want to take the birthrate crisis. This is the simplest way I can think of to tackle the two income household obstacle though.

                  1. PorciiVorbesc · 1790891331 · focus · HN ↗

                     >In the US you might need it to be a five figure salary, sure. 50k?

                     People on a six figure lifestyle in High-Col cities, will see a 5 figure welfare pay as a life downgrade and will not be incentivised to have kids.

                     The only ones incentivise will be those for whom 5 figures is an upgrade, I.E. the poor, who are already having kids regardless.

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