Catherina*

Hello there people
I need alittle help,
Im doing a debate for english class and the topic is : The government should pay women to have children .
Im the government therefore im FOR this..
any help on some good arguments?
Thanks alot

migamoo

Well, why should the government pay women for having children? How are the women compensated? Do they have to give up the children to the government?

Catherina*

No

Catherina*

The birth rate is low in Canada (cause we are speaking about canada)
and so the government is saying, should they pay women to have children?
and i'm FOR that thought.
any ideas?

migamoo

Is this a one-time payment for each child or something along the lines of government assistance?

Catherina*

one time payement

migamoo

How much money would it be? Also, if women were to be paid, do you think some might get pregnant just for the money, not because they want children?

Maggie aka Sarah

Catherina: I am from Canada also.

As for arguments for the government paying parents who have children... here are some of my thoughts:

The Quebec Government has implemented a parental leave program that does help ease the financial burden of having children and the birth rate has increased somewhat.

The federal government has implemented the $100 per month payments for each child under 6. In my opinion, was part of the Conservatives election platform and was part of the reason that they won the election (minority goverment). I have the feeling that a lot of parents prefer choosing how to spend the child care allowance themselves then have the government arbitrarially spend the money on some form of child care.

But then again, the Quebec Government does have a $7 child care plan that a lot of people are in support of politically.

Here's a link about the various Quebec programs related to having children:

http://www.naissance.info.gouv.qc.ca..._parent_en.pdf

Have also heard that Australia gives out grants to parents when they have a baby or adopt.

Maggie

Mesoc

definately not, having children is completely up to them in most cases. Plus theres plenty of programs and aid available to parents to help with food, medical bills, the whole 9 yards.

S.A.S.H.A.

Sadly, I think yes.

Sasha

elisheva

Well, I think the idea is "baby bonuses" and other incentives (like Maggie mentioned) to encourage a higher birth rate - the census just revealed that Canada will soon be entirely dependent on immigration for population growth, since our birth rate is pretty low. There's also federal stuff like the Canada Child Tax Benefit (I think that's what it's called).

I think it's generally a good idea - it's acknowledging the financial difficulties that having children presents to young families, so it makes it easier. I think for some people it may play a role in what provicne they decide to live in to raise their family - I'd rather live in a province with good family programs, mat and pat leaves, etc., than one where I had less support from my employer and the government. However, I think no one has another baby simply to get a cheque from the government - it's still a significant financial burden.

Ashleigh

Knowing little about the Canadian population issue, here's my perspective anyway. I don't think anyone should "get paid" necessarily to have children, but I think that the upbringing and care of children should be any nation's top priority. In my view, I think that a government should provide reduced-cost or free childcare and healthcare to a working parent and homemaker benefits to a parent who chooses to stay home with their young children.