TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The rise of feminism and inflation has challenged traditional gender norms in Taiwan, where the number of dual-earner families is increasing as more women choose to work after marriage. Azumi Yu (虞安壽美), a Japanese teacher who has lived in Taiwan for 18 years, opted not to be a housewife. "In my mom's generation, most women stayed home to care for children," Yu remarked. "Now, most women secure a job after earning a bachelor's degree and continue working post-marriage."
Yu attributed the financial demands of education in Japan, where tuition can cost between JP¥10 million (NT$2.05 million) and JP¥20 million (NT$4.1 million), as a reason for both parents needing to work. Yang Tsung-pin (楊宗斌), a local job bank spokesperson, noted that dual-earner families also support both children and elderly parents while managing mortgages.
A 2024 report by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) revealed that 68% of laborers make less than NT$50,000 monthly, a factor contributing to the rise in dual-income families during the recession. Moreover, inflation is pressuring family finances, influencing decisions about childbirth. A 2022 survey by a job bank showed that 57.8% of workers do not plan to have children, with many opting not to marry.
Gender expert Wu Chuan-yu (吳娟瑜) addressed the generational divide in attitudes towards marriage, criticizing the older generation's concern over women choosing not to marry. "They fail to understand the economic factors crucial to women's marital decisions today," Wu explained, asserting that these women understand their own needs best. Amid these economic and societal shifts, individuals are increasingly seeking lifestyles that best suit them.