Why is India following the Double Income Single Kid Strategy?

China has exported many things to the world. From high-end electronics the best technology companies use to the lowest grade toys, it literally made ‘Made in China’ a brand in itself. What is most interesting, and worrying to many, is the apparent export of its infamous ‘One Child Policy’ to the entire world and today’s India. Urban middle-class parents in India who are earning more and more than their parents ever did are opting to have lesser children. DISK (Double Income Single Kid) has become India’s new ubiquitous nuclear family’. The ‘National Council of Applied Economic Research’ reported that 10 percent of households are opting to have only one child, and nearly a quarter of college-educated women prefer to have a singleton. What is the reason for this surprising phenomenon, in the US, UK, India and many other countries? - Families’ wealth with a single child is significantly higher than that of a two-child family, due to the immense cost associated with raising another child. For example, the cost of bringing up a child to the age of 21 has reached £222,458 in 2012 in the UK. These expenses include the educational, living, investment and accident/unforeseen event expenses in a child’s life. - The only child will be exposed to a higher standard of living, enjoying trips and lessons that might not be affordable for a larger family. Single children might turn out to be more learned, self-assured and confident. The Economic explosion is another factor. In the drive to attain white-collar jobs, single children are given better education facilities so they have brighter opportunities and futures - Another factor contributing to this trend is women marrying and starting families later. The later working women marry, the higher the chance that they opt for a single child, or even physically become infertile to produce another. - Parents today just don't have the time to take care of more than one child. Many parents feel that having more than one takes away more than they can give. Career concerns are compelling with more and more working women. When one looks at the challenges single-child parents face, they see the growth of a generation of so-called spoiled, narcissistic, asocial and maladjusted children and adults. The love parents shower on them and the pampering they receive apparently makes them ‘over-sensitive’, and ‘over-protected’ by their parents. Simply speaking, it is a fear of ‘spoiled brats’. One genuine worry, though, is that when they grow up, their family units will be sharply different from those of the past, deficient as they are of cousins, aunts and uncles, the extended family that siblings provide. ‘Family will not be present to rely upon’, is a common sentiment. But this need not necessarily be the full stop here. Single children can be more focused and goal-oriented, especially since their parents concentrate more on them. It’s just that when growing up without siblings, they necessarily need more opportunities to mix with other children. This will help them learn the value of various social skills, like the importance of sharing, etc. They get loads of time and attention when they are young, which is terrific for social, linguistic, and emotional development. My own cousin has had a fantastic mix of activities through his life, including basketball, tennis, drawing and drama and dance activities in his childhood. Making many friends, acquiring skills, both sports and arts, and gaining confidence and friends along the way is an excellent way to grow, so it’s not surprising that he performed very well in his academics as well. He is one of the few whose parents didn’t shy away from stereotypical masculine or feminine activities, giving him an all-around skill set. Single children are part of illustrious lists which include inspiring personalities from artists like Robert De Niro, Daniel Radcliffe, etc. to sportspersons like Tiger Woods and Maria Sharapova. They obviously need freedom, especially since parents cling closely to their only progeny. All in all, it is a poor way to choose your child-bearing strategy based on hearsay. It is only on deep introspection can a couple decide what to do, keeping in mind their familial and financial needs, and how much effort and time they can provide their child/children. Of course, love remains undivided whether you have a single child or more. Want to share your mommy experience with other moms through words or images? Become a part of the Moms United community. Click here and we will get in touch with you