It is the low birth rates that are currently the biggest headache for politicians.
In Denmark, 1.5 children are born per woman, and we must hit 2.1 children per woman before we as a society can reproduce ourselves – and maintain a welfare society.
Most recently, family policy has been put on the agenda in connection with the Moderates’ summer group meeting. Here the party’s chairman, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, called the low birth rates “Danish society’s and Europe’s absolute greatest challenge”.
The party dreams of a family policy reform – and proposes a tripartite agreement for families with small children, inspired by the green tripartite agreement that was concluded earlier this summer.
The moderates deserve praise for recognizing the problem – and seeking broad solutions. However, other parties have also signed up to make starting a family more attractive.
The Danish People’s Party will give a tax deduction to parents who have three children, while the Conservatives will give a so-called “bonus” of DKK 20,000 upon birth – an amount that is really just a redistribution of child benefit.
The moderates themselves propose a “family account”, which should allow families to spread the financial expenses of having children over a longer period – in effect a form of loan.
But let’s be honest.
The specific proposals are unambitious and show absolutely no will for real change or investment in families with children.
Do the politicians themselves honestly believe that this will make the Danes want to have more children?
Politicians take hold of the most familiar thing from the political toolbox: Economic incentive. But I feel convinced that we are faced with a problem that runs much deeper – and here neither tax breaks, baby checks nor a new form of government loan can make a difference.
The problem lies elsewhere:
We have to go to work as if we don’t have children – and we have to look after the children as if we don’t have work. It is an imbalance that requires far more than financial incentives to correct.
Although there has been a slight change of attitude along the way, the Prime Minister has still announced that everyone who can work must work. At the same time, politicians complain about the low birth rates, while funding for schools and day care centers is being cut.
It simply doesn’t add up.
Even if the Moderates’ proposal does not necessarily lead us to the goal, it is nevertheless to be welcomed that there is an increased focus on family policy. And Lars Løkke Rasmussen is right when he says that a comprehensive solution is needed.
– The answers are not only found in the labor market. They are not only found in the municipalities, they are not only found in Christiansborg. I think it requires playing the whole piano, he said at the summer group meeting, according to the Altinget.
It takes more than just words and small adjustments. We are facing a challenge that requires a much greater effort and a real will to invest in the families of the future.
2024-08-18 19:05:54
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