EDITORIAL - Need for careful analysis
We note with interest the public discussion on the drastic fall in Barbados’ birth rate and how that could impact future social development in this country. Several officials have spoken on the matter, including former head of the Barbados Family Planning Association George Griffith, who has called for a population policy plan to seriously address all critical concerns.
The issue is one that must be handled delicately and informatively, in light of how often the topic is raised in the public domain. We believe there should be a multi-dimensional analysis before any move is made to increase birth rates. Prudent investment in a project means knowing what costs are involved before deciding to proceed. If a customer wants to build a house, it is expected that there would be an estimate of the materials and labour to guide him/her on financial requirements. We see no reason why this approach should not be replicated in discussions about having children.
Firstly, childcare costs do not disappear after the first few years. On the contrary, though parents maintain their children until the age of majority, they may end up continuing support while children pursue tertiary or vocational training. Clearly, this is a lifelong investment. Secondly, if the suggestion has been made to have more children, then equally, that should entail the state having essential data in hand to inform how such a decision will affect all parties over the long-term, especially if the state decides on monetary or other incentives to stimulate interest. For example, it has been suggested that parents defer having children because of how expensive it is, but there are no actual figures to quantify that statement. An easy way of estimating those costs is by carrying out surveys among parents to indicate how much they spend on their children each month. For fairness and accuracy, this survey should incorporate the pre-natal, post-natal, infancy stages and beyond. In the case of government-accessed care, those costs would have to be estimated. The survey should take into account higher as well as lower periods of spending. Traditionally, for example, a higher period of spending falls between July and August every year as parents prepare for the start of the new school year in September.
Managing the existing traffic and housing network is another critical issue. More children will mean more nurseries and schools to accommodate increased enrolment. As it stands, the density of traffic on the roads is already very high during peak hours. Will traffic management solutions be implemented if there is a resultant increase in the areas where new educational facilities are constructed? Barbados is limited in land space and housing will have to be expanded to ensure the health and social standards to which this country aspires are being maintained. That means water delivery and supply must be consistent, a challenge with which this water-scarce country already grapples.
We also suggest that experts in the fields of social science, psychology, medicine, government, education, family planning and parent representatives be included in any discussions on the
matter. Let there be town hall meetings where the general public can have frank dialogue on the issues surrounding the declining birth rate or of having more children. Rational, data-based, informative discussion, therefore, should precede any decisions taken to increase the population of Barbados, since this will have an impact on finite space and resources already under strain.