A SHENZHEN lawmaker called upon the municipal government to keep a close watch on the growing number of DINK (double income, no kids) couples in the city and draw up policies to improve their welfare, during a session of the Luohu District People's Congress on Friday (Feb 9).

More than 45,000 working couples in Shenzhen have opted not to give birth, accounting for 10 percent of the total number of families with Shenzhen hukou, according to a recent survey by the Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences.

Lin Jinxi, a deputy to the district people's congress, asked the local government to research the issue and prepare for the social problems expected to arise when DINK couples grow old.

"Some of these people already turn 40, which means there will soon be retired DINK couples troubled by loneliness and a feeling of uncertainty," she said.

Well-educated people who make the quality of their personal lives a priority and think rationally form most DINK families, said Dr. Wang Xiaohua with Shenzhen University. "The concept of passing on the family name gives way to the pursuit of careers and more leisure time among these people," he said.

The quick surge in the proportion of DINK families in Shenzhen can be attributed to the migrant culture of the city, according to Chi Shujun, a researcher participating in the survey.

"Suffering from high work pressure and without the support of big families in nurturing, young couples opt for a freer and happier life without kids. With the improvement of living standards in general, more people want to enjoy quality life and hesitate at having the burden of children," she said. She said she anticipates a greater number of DINK couples in the next few years.

Lin said DINK couples face challenges. "Senior couples may feel lonely and without economic support from the next generation. Young couples, without a child as the binding force, get divorce more easily," she said.

The deputy also suggested the authorities offer DINK couples free medical checkups each year and provide senior couples subsidies on a regular basis. She further suggested opening psychological consulting centers in communities and arranging for the couples to participate in more social activities.

Editor: Wing