Malaysian authorities warn against child-free trend

At a Father’s Day celebration, Mohd Naim emphasized the traditional roles of men as leaders and women as mothers within marriage. This sentiment was echoed by the National Security Council, which warned against the trend of choosing to be child-free, citing potential demographic imbalances and societal tensions. The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development defended couples’ right to decide on parenthood, amidst declining marriage rates and birth rates in Malaysia.

Despite a rise in marriages among Malays, declining birth rates are a concern across all ethnic groups in Malaysia. Sociologist Yarina Ahmad noted that the child-free lifestyle is not widely accepted in Malaysia due to social and ethical norms. Respect for individual choices is crucial, as highlighted by the story of Azfar and Nadia, who have personal reasons for choosing not to have children.