What's the buzz

Chinese couples can now have a second child even if only one of them is the only child of its parents. This should be good news for those who want to have two children, but some families are reluctant to have a second child even if they are eligible to do so. Following are the reactions of China Daily's mobile news readers when asked whether they would consider having two children:

I don't want to have two children. Raising a child is no easy task. It costs a huge amount of time and total devotion. I'd rather have only one child and spend all my time and energy in raising that child up.

A Reader, Fuzhou, Fujian province

If I have the right conditions, I will have a second child. I am the lonely only child of my family and I really admire people with siblings, who can also be great companions. I don't want my child to suffer the same sense of loneliness that I had had to endure. But given the mounting housing prices, my financial condition will play the most important role in my decision.

A Reader, Changsha, Hunan province

An only child is prone to being selfish and egotistic. It is less likely to share belongings and feelings or communicate with others. Instead, it is more likely to be a loner, introvert and possibly indifferent. On the other hand, children who grow up in the company siblings understand quite early in life that no one is at the center of the world and that they have to share their belongings and cooperate with others. So having two children is always better than having just one.

Remanda, Nanjing, Jiangsu province

I support the policy of allowing more couples to have a second child. The relaxation in the family planning policy will give a greater number of children the good fortune of growing up with a companion and learning the important art of sharing. The one-child generation betrays a host of personality defects. Single children tend to be arrogant, insolent and irresponsible. As an only child, I was spoiled by my parents, and had a very lonely childhood. I think most people like me have the same childhood experience. Siblings are actually good friends to play and share with. Besides, having siblings can help us take better care of elderly parents. I am now in college far away from home and I wish I had a brother or sister at home to keep my parents company.

A Reader, Langfang, Hebei province

I have a 15-month-old daughter, and I'm not planning to have a second child. The reason is basically financial. My husband and I earn only 8, 000 yuan a month, so we can barely make ends meet if we have another child. What's more, I think children should not be the center of our lives. We also have our personal dreams to pursue.

Jason, Foshan, Guangdong province

I think the problem is not how many children one has, but how one should raise them. Many young couples today are too busy with their careers to look after their children, so they entrust their care to their grandparents. Keeping children in grandparents' care deprives them of the influence, company and emotional support of their parents, which is vital for their all-round development.

A Reader, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province

Compared with having one child, parents may have to devote more energy and time to childcare if they have two children, but they can lead a more relaxed life in old age. Irrespective of whether a couple have one child or two children, they can raise a sound, conscientious and educated child only with good family education and responsible parenting.

A Reader, Fuzhou, Fujian province

I prefer having a second child. Since I am the younger of my parents' two children, I can tell how much fun it is to have brothers and sisters. Moreover, given the mounting work pressure, young people now have little time to take care of their parents. But if a person has siblings, he/she can take turns to take care of his/her parents. Besides, many couples who lost their only child to some disease or accident and were unable to bear a second child are now leading a lonely and sorrowful life. Had they had a second child their situation would have been different.

A Reader, Beijing

(China Daily 12/02/2013 page9)