銆€銆€Should we have a second child?

銆€銆€That is the question that bothers Xu Ying, a 32 year-old Shanghai mother.

銆€銆€"I want to have another baby, but my husband disagrees," said Xu, who has a 5-year-old daughter.

銆€銆€"It does a lot of good to have more children in a family. My daughter will not be lonely. And when we grow old, there will be less pressure on them looking after us together," she said.

銆€銆€But the dream sometimes has to make way for reality.

銆€銆€"My husband and I are both very busy. If I want to have a second child, I'll have to quit my job and take care of two children. And that means we will lose part of our income," she said.

銆€銆€"Having a second child is a difficult decision to make," she said.

銆€銆€Like Xu, many young couples in Shanghai are reluctant to have a second child despite being eligible. But they are being encouraged to have a second child by authorities who are trying to balance out an increasingly aging population.

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