The changing profile of the Taiwanese family and the governmental response

Abstract

In our risk society, traditional Taiwanese families face many challenges: more women have entered the labour market; men's jobs have become less secure; the average fertility rate has been declining; delayed marriage and the decision not to marry have become increasingly popular; and divorce is now acceptable and widely practised. All these changes, which are the result of the new global economy, threaten Taiwan's patriarchal family structure and traditional intergenerational contract. Using data from a national survey, we found that the younger generations of Taiwanese have new views about the necessity of marriage and the importance of having a son. They also have fewer expectations of receiving intergenerational support. Women in Taiwan tended to be sceptical about marriage, the importance given to the birth of a son and the benefits of having children. Families in financial difficulties tend to avoid taking responsibility for the care of elderly parents. In a risk society, the state may be required to accept and support non-traditional families.

Keywords:

• attitudes towards the family
• family policy
• Taiwan

Notes

¹ GEM, ranked by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), four indicators: percentage of women in Congress, percentage of women in managerial positions, percentage of women in professional positions and ratio of women's earning to men's.