Dad sent us an article that made us laugh. Too bad we don't live in Ulyanovsk! They give cars and other prizes for having babies. Well, you have to have the baby on the right day and all. . . .
Really, though, the article reflects the way things are here. You probably know that Russia's population is declining and has been for a while. When people see that we're expecting our third child, after the shock (three children is a huge family here!), the comments are usually alone the lines of "Helping to solve the demographic crisis, eh?" or something about the money that we'll be getting. (Except that we won't be getting it, because we're not Russian.)
In some ways it's sad: the fear of starting a family here and materialistic reasons to have children or not. In some ways it's just weird: who in America would ever congratulate you on a pregnancy and then head right into talking about the tax break that you'll get with another child? And in some ways it's good: it does seem like we're seeing more babies and pregnant women since the government has been encouraging family growth.
9 comments:
It's that way in Germany, too. They earn a monetary award for having children.
If they think three children mean a huge family, they need to stop by Circle!
Same thing in Israel. But you have to be Israeli as well...
wish America joined in that fun :)
Well, yes, cash bonus for having children is one thing, but what about contests for a car giveaway and having an official Day of Conception?!?!? :-)
I hate to say it, but lots of people have commented to me about the possible tax break we might get this year on the new baby I guess that's because the due date is Dec 31, so we may or may not get the break this year. But it's funny to me how that's the first thing everyone says when I tell them the due date!
We actually had "conception day" in the news today. We heard you can get a TV if you manage to have a baby by a certain day is that true where you are?
Love ya!
~your little sister
Hi Leetra! I don't think the article mentioned TVs. I wouldn't be surprised, though. It's only in Ulyanovsk, not here. Here people get the standard national money, but not prizes.
Hi! I've heard it on the radio several times in the last couple of weeks! Yesterday was "Conception Day", I think. And, if you have the baby on June 12th (National Day or something), you may win an SUV!!! Wow! That's one way to encourage larger families! Love, Julie/Baba/Mom
My opinion (as an adoptive mom with a Russian child) is that they should give the prizes and incentive to people who will adopt the ones who are already here and need families. I know that the purpose seems to be to repopulate Russia...but still.......why not take care of the ones in orphanages? I guess it's like everywhere else, America included. NOTHING makes sense once the govt gets involved.
Laura T. :)
All those financial incentives are nice though. :-).
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