BY NAZRINZULAIQA HASBI
KUCHING: Having two children at the most appears to be the trend among couples residing in urban areas.
This has resulted in low population growth in the state.
Recently, Welfare, Community, Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah pointed out that because of this trend, Sarawak might end up having a high number of old people in the future.
In an interview with the New Sarawak Tribune, most couples said it was not by choice but because of several reasons.
Topping the list are economic and career factors while others include difficulty in looking for babysitters.
MARY SARESTA (self-employed)
My husband (Lenson Kimura, businessman) and I think that it is quite difficult to find babysitters and nursery fees are quite expensive. In addition, the cost of living is also increasing.
MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ SYAHMI JARAIE (production operator)
My wife (Norazila Medin, production operator) and I think that couples who live in the city are satisfied with having just two children due to economic factors. This is because the cost of living in urban areas is higher than the cost of living in rural areas. In addition, working couples in the urban areas are worried they may not be able to spend enough time with their children.
CONNORS KADIR (assistant administration )
My husband (Scharllvee Ratim, Perodua service advisor) and I think that couples living in the cities and towns have financial commitments. They have to bear the cost of living such as buying daily necessities, renting a house and car and the cost of sending their children to nurseries. Fewer children will allow them to spend more time with each of them.
NURHAZARIAH AZMAN (assistant administration)
“My husband (Afzanizan Affandy, policeman) and I value quality over quantity. For example, quality in terms of children’s education. In addition, the cost of living is lower with fewer children. Parents can also focus fully on the development and growth of their children if they have fewer kids.
SITI ZALEHA AHMAD ZAKI (housewife)
“My husband (Muhd Amirul Hasif Salem, administration staff) and I think if a couple has stable finances, there is no problem in having many children. If they have financial problems, two is enough. Besides that, parents are now more focused on their careers.
NORHAZANI AHMAD (teacher)
“My husband (Azziq Arfifi Ahmad, civil engineer) and I think that having two children is enough because of economic factors. For example, the cost of living is high. Many parents are also busy working and do not have time to take care of many children.
