TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Child Welfare League Foundation (兒福聯盟) released a survey on Tuesday (June 17), revealing that only 16.1% of Taiwanese people have strong negative feelings towards children, primarily due to noise from crying and disruptive behavior. The survey found that 39.5% of respondents are very child-friendly, scoring zero on the dislike index, while 44.4% scored between one and three, indicating mild discomfort rather than aversion.
The foundation reported that 39.6% of people feel uneasy about crying children, and 36% believe parents should refrain from taking children out if they cannot manage the noise. Despite this, only 13.6% avoid close contact with children, and 12.8% fear interacting with them, suggesting a general tolerance. Social media criticism of noisy children remains low, with only 9.9% admitting to it and 22.1% finding it reasonable, indicating a reluctance to reject children openly.
When children cry in public, 57.6% of respondents worry about their well-being, and 38.4% observe if parents need help, reflecting societal empathy. However, 29.4% wish parents would promptly stop the noise. Public opinion is divided on child access to spaces like upscale restaurants and public transport, with 47.3% supporting unrestricted entry. The foundation expressed concern that 22.6% of people's unfriendly looks might increase parental stress and social isolation.
The foundation emphasized societal disdain for children stems from environmental and parenting factors. To foster a more child-friendly environment in Taiwan, they advocate for better public understanding of children's behavior and increased parental support. As France plans legislation to ban child exclusion in restaurants, the global reevaluation of attitudes toward children continues.
