News location:

Canberra Today 25°/29° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Virus uncertainty will likely disrupt births, says expert 

AUSTRALIANS will be less likely to have babies amid the COVID-19 uncertainty, according to a leading demographer from the Australian National University (ANU). 

Population expert Dr Liz Allen said the coronavirus, and fear it brings, will change Australia’s demographics and result in serious socioeconomic consequences.

“Research shows people are less likely to have children in a period of uncertainty and scarcity,” Dr Allen said.

“A baby boom is unlikely to happen during the COVID-19 crisis. After severe events, we tend to find a decline in births – we don’t see a boom.

“When basic needs can’t be met by a simple visit to the supermarket, it changes the way people think about having babies. The world feels more frightening, and the prospects for children’s future gloomy.”

Dr Allen said the way Australians form relationships will change alongside their adaption to coronavirus health advice.

“In pure demographic terms, the ingredients required for births are being disrupted. Relationships are especially affected, meaning we are not going to see the formula needed to result in births,” she said.

“Lack of social mixing, even via dating apps, is denying ingredients necessary for relationship formation.”

The demographer says Australia’s population will also be forever changed by the international border lockdowns caused by coronavirus.

“This holding pattern of closing the borders will have unprecedented generational impact in terms of economics and infrastructure,” Dr Allen said.

“This will result in serious socioeconomic consequences, the likes we have not seen in modern history.

“The pressure on local and migrant workers to keep the country economically afloat will be enormous. Pressure on workers to remain employed is also likely to lead to stresses on families, and possible declines in birth rates.”

Australia will also see migrants returning to their home countries, Dr Allen said.

“Coronavirus has created a panic that perfectly displays Australia’s lingering White Australia Policy effects,” she said.

“The danger of politicians calling panic buying ‘un-Australian’, is that people might interpret that as the other – the non-locals – being the problem, and it propels racism and this idea that we should fear them.

“The fear fuelling all of this panic buying is a contagion. It is more contagious than the virus itself.”

For families with children, Dr Allen said the impact of coronavirus will be felt more by women.

“Women, especially mothers, bear the brunt of household labour and these burdens will amplify as the lines blur between work, family, and social aspects of lives,” she said.

But there is good news. Dr Allen points to community mindedness and a can-do attitude.

“Australians have proven to be made of pretty tough stuff. The sense of community in Australia is still a major bond holding us together, no matter the need for physical distancing,” she said.

“Families are re-inventing the notion of relationships in a time of COVID-19: video chats with relatives, online community gaming, and e-playdates with friends are now being used to build and maintain community.

“Australia, and the communities comprising the nation, are built on hope. A hope for the future, and a confidence in our ingenuity. Australia’s hope and forward outlook will sustain the country during this crisis.”

Dr Allen’s book “The Future of Us” is out on April 1. 

Who can be trusted?

In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.

If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.

Become a supporter

Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Share this

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Follow us on Instagram @canberracitynews