The Democratic Chinese breakaway state of Taiwan now has a totally collapsing birthrate.
They’re treating dogs like infants.
In a quiet southern Taipei alleyway, an ageing golden retriever peers sleepily from a pram being pushed by his elderly owner. A few minutes later a stroller pushed along by a young woman rolls past, carrying a brindle-cross.
That afternoon a puppy wearing a tuxedo and rainbow bowtie is wheeled through the heaving crowds of the Taipei Pride parade.
Dogs in prams are a common sight in Taiwan’s capital, where the city’s metro system allows pets on board only if they are in contained carriers. But observers say the trend goes beyond the practical and reflects changing attitudes towards pet ownership and a growing propensity for “fur babies” amid a declining birthrate in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s birthrate is among the lowest in Asia, and is due to delayed marriages, analysts say. Having children outside of marriage is still socially unacceptable, and economic barriers to having children include minimal maternity leave entitlements.
At the same time, pet ownership is skyrocketing. In September analysts estimated the number of Taiwanese pets had overtaken the number of children aged under 15.
As a result the pet accessory retail market is booming, and was worth US$1.52bn a year in 2015, according to Taiwan’s pet expo. Market research firm Euromonitor International said it has continued to grow ever since.
A spokeswoman for pet pram manufacturer, Ibiyaya, said sales had increased more than five-fold between 2002 and 2015, and it was still growing, with more suppliers coming on to the market. “The industry is getting more competitive while customers have more options when it comes to choosing the right pet stroller for their fur kids,” she said.
Strollers, sunglasses, raincoats and even socks for dogs are also increasingly common.
Wu Hung, the executive director of the Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan (East), worries that the desire for these items stem from “an anthropocentric way of thinking about animals and treat them as accessories for human fulfilment, rather than focusing on the animal’s needs”.
“This can lead to serious welfare problems when the best interests of the animal are overlooked.”
Yes, it is not the dogs’ job to be children for confused women with malfunctioning maternal instincts.
Meanwhile, in authoritarian mainland China, they are having so many kids that the government has to regulate the birthrate so there aren’t too many people.
The childlessness situation stems from the programs in liberal democracy to empower women. Empowered women do not have kids – they have dogs in strollers.
Ask yourself: which is better for families?
Not having any children?
Or having too many children?
Is what is good for families good for society?
If so, then is the system of “liberal democracy” that is pushed on the whole world actually anti-human?
Why do we tolerate this?
Maybe we should consider a more authoritarian, less permissive society, where women don’t have rights?
Wouldn’t this be better for our people?