Baby bonuses fail to address the fear of falling behind

When one of the author's medical school classmates was pregnant during her surgical residency, she planned the date of her C-section to meet her residency completion deadline. She declined maternity leave due to fear of falling behind her peers. In medicine, women often delay motherhood until late 30s or later. Hong Kong's chief executive and Singapore's prime minister both announced substantial newborn bonuses and extended support for three years.

The cities boast high population densities, fiercely competitive environments, and high parental investment in children's education. Despite generous support, birth rates remain low and birth rates fell to a record low in Singapore. Parents understand what children need to excel - kindergarten interviews and enrichment classes. Cash may ease the economic burden of having children but cannot address the stress of falling behind.

The cultural environment that shapes parental anxieties also influences their hesitation to balance career and parenthood. The competitive mindset, ingrained in childhood, carries into adulthood. In these densely populated cities, everyone knows each other's achievements, making peer comparison hard to avoid. The thought of raising a child in such a cutthroat environment is daunting.

The author argues that despite the financial incentives, deeper cultural and structural issues prevent young couples from desiring children. Simply offering more subsidies or better parental leave will not resolve the issue, as these factors alone cannot change the perception of parenthood as a competitive burden.