Editorial

Income vis-a-vis family size

It appears that a family of five is emerging as an ideal Filipino family size, referring to husband and wife and three children. The figure of five accounts to a nuclear family, otherwise it becomes an extended family if there are additionals, including the hired or employed “kasambahays” or domestic helpers. Is the family of five considered as “small” size by definition in our country? Perhaps so… in some countries, the family of four is considered as small and ideal nuclear size.

        This recent, the National Economic and Development Authority and financial analysts point on the family of five in calculating a decent monthly wage and daily and affordable consumption costs. Accordingly, the daily budget of P1,440 is decent enough for basic consumption expense, excluding those for recreation and savings. So, therefore, the monthly decent wage is P43,200 or say P44,000. But to most daily wage earners, this ceiling is yet to be reachablethrough legislated wage hikes.

        Would-be married couples and the early marriage couples, including live-in partners, then have to plan for the size of their families. A family with two children is already a ideal size, not a family of six considering the low minimum wage the earners nets, not including those non-wage earners. Small size can guarantee a decent cost for defraying the daily needs of members.

        In previous studies, those couples with high educational and income status tend to have small family size; this is inversely related among the low education and low income groups, especially among those gripping the threshold of poverty. Those more learned are conscious of the adverse effects of large family size. Career-orientation is one factor attributed to small family size, especially those in highly urbanized areas. In developed countries, small family size is the trend compared to developing nations. China, for instance, adopted by law on the one-child policy vis-à-vis population explosion, taking into account the economic factor in feeding multiple mouths. In the Philippines, we have the Reproductive Health law in relation to population program, including family planning.

        Economics and family size are correlated. Small size means affordability in meeting expenses compared to large size but with low income. Quality of life is also associated with family size. Conscientious married couples, including live-in partners, have to consider income or financial resources in deciding their family size… or are they that conscious? Marriage life is future planning for one’s family ---  a promising income for a comfortable and secured family life.