Research On Recognition And Optimization Of Care Patterns For Children Aged 0-3 Years In China

The deficiency of childcare resources in China has limited the rebound of fertility,exerting a profound impact on population security of its size,quality and structure.This study attempts to explore the current pattern and its optimized path of childcare under age three,to provide a valuable reference basis for promoting the implementation of the "two-child policy",improving the childcare system and protecting children's growth.First,this article reviews childcare policies for children under the age of three since the founding of the People 's Republic of China.It is found that along with economic and social development,China 's childcare policies have evolved along the trajectory of De-familialism to Implicit familialism to Optional familialism.In the era of the planned economy,the country built many childcare centers to provide public childcare services,which gradually disintegrated after the market-oriented reform.Then,the responsibility of childcare was returned to the family.In recent years,the government has encouraged diverse subjects to provide childcare resources,but families still bear most of the responsibility for caring for babies.Second,based on the data of the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)2012-2018,this study utilizes cross-tabular analysis and Logistics regression analysis to explore the division of labor patterns among Chinese families in the care of children aged 0-3.Studies have shown that the current difficulties faced by families in child care include: mother's overburdened,father's absence and grandparent's tension.Mothers are the main bearers of infants and more than 30% of children are taken care by their grandparents.Additionally,childcare patterns showed significant age and urban-rural differences among children under age three.Besides,the results of the regression analysis found that the division patterns of domestic childcare are linked to the educational level of the father,economic income and chores participation of mother.Furthermore,to reduce the burden for the family,this paper proposes three optimization directions for the care pattern for children aged 0-3: promoting the construction of public childcare services,setting paternity leave and building up a child care service center based on the community.The population simulation results showed that the total number of children aged 0-3 in China each year will exceed 36 million from 2021 to 2050,indicating a large demand for public child care centers.Furthermore,nurses gap may reach 1 million in the future.This article also proposes the idea of "paternity leave" for men with children aged 0-3 and demonstrates its financial feasibility from the government's prospects.Under the premise of establishing a government-enterprise-individual cost sharing mechanism,the amount of expenditure for "paternity leave" paid by fertility insurance will not exceed 0.1% of total fiscal revenue,which is affordable.In addition,this article mentioned that it is needed to take full advantage of the community to build an integrated childcare service center for 0-3 years,concentrating the power of the government,society,community and family to create a supportive environment for children.Finally,this article summarizes childcare policies in Sweden,France,Japan,and Taiwan,including three aspects: time support,service support,and financial support.Some valuable lessons could be learned from these countries(areas): transforming the concept of childcare development,establishing a universal child care system and cultivating professional childcare talents.