[ad_1]
The government’s policy to reduce the “child allowance”, which provides cash payments to children who do not attend secondary school, is being extended starting in 2021. “Special benefits” for high-income households will be reduced and In the case of double income couples, the calculation standard for income restrictions will be changed from “higher income” to “total couples”. It is also reported that households with higher incomes will consider abolishing it.
In response to this, Body Note, which develops child-rearing apps, conducted an urgent questionnaire for mothers who receive special benefits. “I don’t want a second person or later”, “I think one of the couples will not work”, “Does the government want to change from full time job to short time job?” There was a lot of confusion.
The standard is “full pair”, reduction and even abolition
Mothers raising their children complain about the reduction in child allowances and the new standard of calculation (photo is an image).
GettyImages / recep-bg
Body Note conducted an online survey from November 12-13, 2020, targeting users of its own “Mama Biyori” app, email newsletter. The number of respondents was 1842.
The amount of the child allowance varies depending on the number of children and household income. For example, if you support a child under the age of 3 who has a lower income, you will receive 15,000 yen per month, and if you are 3 or older, you will receive 10,000 yen in principle.
Income restrictions on child allowances
Source: From the Cabinet Office website
On the other hand, households with incomes above a certain level per childFlat rate 5000 yen per monthThe system for receiving benefits is the “special benefit” that you are considering changing. Since the standard for calculating the payment amount is based on the income of the highest earner in the household, for example, the income of either couple is 9.6 million yen (income of 7.36 million yen) or more, and corresponds to the case of two children. ..
The government is reportedly considering the following this time.
・ Calculate the income limit of the person who earns the most in the household, that is, “the one with the highest income among the couple”.“Couples are worth it”switch to
・ For dual income households, if the total income of the couple is above a certain level, special benefits will be provided.Reduced to 2,500 yen
・For higher income, abolish the benefit itselfConsider a plan to do
The income standard will be examined from now on, but the financial resources that have floated areWaiting for child measurementsIt is said that it will be devoted to.
Is it really a child measure on the waiting list? Distrust in how to use taxes
Are floating financial resources really used for action against children on the waiting list? Many people have doubts (the photo is an image).
GettyImages / recep-bg
Regarding the consideration of the reduction / abolition of special child benefits, Body Note mainly receives special benefits for those whose main means of subsistence have an annual income of 8 million yen or more, households with less than that and mainly benefits for children. The questionnaire is said to have been divided into layers.
Regarding the report on the abolition of the special child benefit, the beneficiaries of the special benefit64%(From this point, truncation after the decimal point)“Pay only taxes and feel unequal”,Too16% are “financially uncomfortable” and 80% are negativeI was.
By the way, the most common uses of current special benefits were “child savings” at 57% and “living expenses” at 18%.
Too,The reason for changing or abolishing the system is that removal of waiting list children is cited as “very dissatisfied” 61%, “a little dissatisfied” 19% and 80% are negative for reasons.As a result.
Even those whose main livelihoods have an annual income of 8 million yen or lessIf the system to eliminate children on the waiting list is to be abolished, 18% are “a little dissatisfied” and 66% are “very dissatisfied”, 84% are negative.I was.
Behind this is mistrust in how taxes are used.
“I am convinced that the kindergarten teacher will be rewarded, but I wonder if the financial resources will be used for that.”
“It is not clear what kind of measures will be taken.”
“Due to the recognition that children on the waiting list are occurring in some densely populated areas, I feel that I do not receive many fair benefits” (from the free description of the questionnaire)
On the other handAbout 10% said: “I am convinced that the elimination of children on the waiting list will take place.”Replied. Some people hoped that the problem of children on the waiting list would be solved.
Serious blow to double income “It is better not to work”
Many people were hesitant to work together (photo is an image).
GettyImages / d3sign
There was also a change in the way we think about how we work in the future. In particular, women in double-income households will have a large impact if the calculation standard for income restrictions is “full couples.”
“If the annual income does not pay the child allowance to the dual income couple,Or the couple won’t workI think”
｢I am not convinced that even though I pay a high fee for childcare when I work together, the child allowance is also reduced.I thought
“I make a living full time working together,Many households ask, “Does the government want to work full time or short time?”It’s not like that? “(From the free description of the questionnaire)
If the child allowance is revised, it is unthinkable for the second child and the following
It also casts a large shadow on future family planning (photo is an image).
GettyImages / takasuu
What has changed in all households is what to do with the second and subsequent children? Is.
For those with an annual income of 8 million yen or more as their main livelihoodIf you can still receive the special benefits, you would like to have a second pregnancy / delivery or later.(Much wanted / slightly wanted)48%, about 50% respondeddoing. But,Even if you can no longer receive special benefits, 12% of those surveyed said they would like to get pregnant or give birth after the second child, a significant decrease.The result was.
Even if the main livelihood is 8 million yen or less per yearIf the annual income criteria remain the same, we would like to have a second pregnancy or subsequent or subsequent delivery.(Much wanted / slightly wanted)And 50% respondedOn the other handEven when the criteria were revised and the number of households changed, 19% of those surveyed said they would like to have a second or later child, which is also a large decrease.
The following comments were received as a reason.
｢I am concerned about raising children without support because my income is low｣
“The criteria have been revisedWhen it comes to annual household income, it feels silly to be busy working together and working hard – in fact, I have no money to support my son｣
“For childrenI am concerned if I can get a proper educationWhy “
“Pay a lot of taxesIt is very difficult to raise three people even if you make an annual income of 10 million｣
Consistency with the removal of income restrictions on fertility treatment
Study Group on Impacts and Challenges for Women under Corona Urgent Recommendations (Baseline Data)
Source: From the Cabinet Office / Office of Gender Equality website
The Cabinet Office’s “Study Group on Impacts and Challenges for Women under Corona” said on November 19, “The spread of the new coronavirus infection has a particularly severe impact on women.“Women’s recession”The appearance of is confirmed. In April 2020The number of employees, mainly female non-regular employees, decreased by around 700,000 from the previous month (roughly double that of men).Next,The population of non-working women is increasing (more than double that of men)I announced an urgent proposal to sound the alarm.
Zhou Yanfei, Principal Investigator of the Independent Administrative Institution “Labor Policy Research and Training Organization”“The number of women abstaining from work as a choice between work and home is increasing.”(Mainichi Shimbun, November 14, 2020).
Japan is not the only country to abstain from work due to declining female employment due to crown disease and the increased burden of housework and childcare.
According to a September McKinsey & Company survey of 40,000 working women in the United States and Canada.One in four wanted to take advantage of Corona to reduce turnover and working hoursThat is to say.
The results of this survey show that the reduction or abolition of special child allowances benefits can force women to “abstain from work”. Isn’t this contrary to the government’s stance to proclaim “the advancement of women”?
Additionally, Prime Minister Yoshii Suga has indicated that he intends to lift income restrictions on the fertility treatment cost subsidy program starting in 2021. Even if we support pregnancy, if there is nothing to follow, naturally more families will decide to “hold back”.
This is not the case when employment is chilling and inconsistent policies confuse women, abandon their careers and raise children.
Business Insider Japan continues to cover topics related to childcare and money. Reflections on reducing child allowances this time and the impact of it. Also, please let us know if there are walls or illnesses that you find due to changes in working styles and child rearing due to the crown. Contact [email protected].
(Prayer, Ikuko Takeshita)
