The formula "One child for mom, second for dad, and third for the country" has already caused a baby boom in some countries.
First, a few words about the ranking methodology. Tanya Weinberg, a representative of Save the Children, explained to Itogi that the result is the sum of points scored in three rankings – maternal, female, and child. 30 percent of the total indicator comes from the child's well-being: health, access to education, psychological comfort in the family. 20 percent each come from women's health indicators, women's educational status and economic situation. And another 10 percent assesses the influence of women on politics in the country.
All these positions are broken down into items. Australia's success came from the following factors. On the Green Continent, maternal mortality is minimal – one case per 13,300 births. Child mortality under 5 years is six per 1,000. Contraceptives are used by 71 percent of women. The projected life expectancy for women is 84 years. Educational level is 21 years of study in various institutions. And finally, 27 percent of women in the country participate in parliamentary work. After counting the points scored, Australia came second in the maternal ranking, first in the female ranking, and 28th in the child ranking, which together gave a final second place in the overall list.
In 2001, the birth rate in the country was 1.7 children per family, and the Australian government considered this unacceptably low. The authorities decided to encourage parents for each child born. The country's demographic policy is determined by the formula: "One child for mom, second for dad, and third for the country." In 2004, a baby bonus was introduced for citizens of the Green Continent – a one-time cash incentive for the birth of a child (similar to our "maternity capital"), tax-free. The measure worked – the birth rate crept up and is now 1.9, and the baby bonus over time increased from 3 to 5 thousand US dollars.
However, this does not surprise us – Russian "maternity capital" is twice as high. But mums from Australia have an important advantage: since January 1 of this year, they have secured paid parental leave. This is 18 weeks during which the young mother will receive the minimum wage – 570 US dollars per week. True, it is impossible to receive both the baby bonus and paid leave at the same time – you can only choose one. It would seem the choice is obvious – getting leave and about 10,500 dollars is more profitable than taking five thousand at once. But the thing is that these 18 weeks of leave are paid by the employer, whom the state has promised to fine 33 thousand dollars for refusal or delay in payments. Employers, however, complain – they are not ready for such a social burden. Business in the country is 75 percent small: pharmacies, cafes, or hairdressers, where Australian women mostly work, cannot afford such payments. By the way, to get paid leave in Australia, it is enough to have a part-time job and work at least one year before the child's birth!
Jessica Brown, an analyst from the Center for Independent Studies, notes: "The state shows future parents that it is ready to share the care of the child. But at the same time, one should not forget that in the future they will have much more expenses. And therefore the Australian woman, who until recently resigned to the role of a housewife, now on an equal footing with men participates in replenishing the family budget."
Karen Reeves, a sociologist from Sydney, conducted research on the employment of Australian mothers: "Since paid leave did not exist until 2011, the fair half tried to work at least part-time, combining this with childcare. In 2007, 59 percent of mothers with children from 0 to 14 worked part-time, with children from 0 to 4 years such workers were 52 percent, with children from 10 to 14 years – 77 percent. At the same time, the average salary of a woman in Australia per week is about 1000 dollars: it is clear that even with part-time employment, this is a good extra income."
And over the past 10 years, Australian women, by pressuring the authorities, have ensured that hospitals that handle pregnancy and childbirth now run like clockwork. Women united in the Maternity Coalition society, where they can complain about inattentive doctors or, conversely, inform which clinic provides top-notch medical care. Since it was about municipal maternity hospitals, the reputation of a "bad place" could result in loss of license.
By the way, pregnancy management and childbirth in the country are free. A fee may be charged only for additional tests in complicated cases. If a woman has difficulties after childbirth, problems in relationships with her husband or loved ones, she can call a psychologist – he is on the staff of the maternity hospital. During pregnancy management, you can invite a personal midwife, but only if you decide to give birth at home. Choosing a private maternity hospital is also not prohibited – those who for some reason trust a particular doctor do so. For example, on a friend's advice.
However, it is not only medical programs that push Australian women to give birth more at ages 20–29, which by the standards of many Western countries is early. As demographers note, Australia's strong economy plays its role. This includes low unemployment and the possibility of flexible schedules for working mothers. Children can be easily placed in a good kindergarten, decent school, prestigious college. And by Western European standards, everything good in Australia costs about half as much as in the Old World. The Australian recipe: start improvements from the bottom, without waiting for handouts from above.
Read the continuation in the article "Children's Kingdom".
Elena ZIGMUND. 