China Claims Having Kids Makes Women Smarter, Public Responds with Outrage

Chinese authorities recently promoted the benefits of childbirth on their official WeChat account as part of a campaign to encourage childbirth. However, after receiving backlash for its unscientific content, the post was quickly taken down. Analysts say the Xi Jinping administration’s urgency over the low birthrate crisis leads to coercive and unreasonable measures, fueling public discontent.

According to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun on Tuesday, China’s National Health Commission, responsible for low birthrate policies, posted an article titled “Four Major Benefits for Women Who Have Children” on its official social media account on October 30. The commission urged expectant mothers and their families to focus on the positive aspects of childbirth, claiming that giving birth can reduce the incidence of uterine fibroids and partially prevent ovarian cancer. They even asserted that childbirth actually enhances women’s intelligence, countering the popular Chinese saying that “having a child makes you a fool for three years,” which reflects the cognitive challenges many women face during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. The post argued that hormonal changes during pregnancy induce subtle alterations in women’s brain structure, providing more energy to the brain and helping women cope with the challenges of motherhood. This content quickly went viral online, prompting comments like, “Well, let the experts get pregnant and see if they become smarter,” and, “Why not claim that having a child grants beauty and immortality?” As public criticism intensified, the Commission restricted access to the post within four days.

Previously, Chinese economic media outlet Caixin reported that local Chinese governments, struggling with declining birth rates, were frequently calling women of childbearing age to inquire about their pregnancy plans. The Yomiuri noted, “The Xi Jinping administration’s anxiety over the rapidly declining birthrate appears to be reflected in such measures,” adding that these actions provoke backlash, particularly among women.