Evaluating the Third Child Policy in China: A Perspective from Motherhood in Labor Market

Under the aging society with a low fertility rate, the Chinese government established the Third Child Policy 2021. However, there has been a lack of policy evaluation since the implementation of the policy, which challenge the provision of follow-up policy guidance. Previous investigation has examined the fertility intention and influencing factors, and provision of childcare services by using quantitative method (i.e. Ning et al., 2022; Li, 2023). By building on existing findings, this research aims to evaluate the Third Child Policy from the aspect of motherhood in labor markets. Specifically, the fertility intention, the correlation between it and employment, and the implementation of the Third Child Policy in organizations will be examined. The study intends to schedule twenty-five semi-structured interviews with employed mothers with two children in China. Based on the six interviews conducted at present, none of the interviewees intend to give birth to another child. But five of the interviewees claimed that employment experience is not the main reason for their fertility decision. Rather, economic burden and energy are the two main indicators. Nevertheless, the employment experience and development vary, depending on the position and characteristics of the
organizations, as well as personal career plan. Meanwhile, the rights participants from state-owned enterprises are more likely to be protected, comparing with those in private ones. Referring to current findings, the government should consider specific and additional strategies for reducing economic burden with clear guidelines on governance of policy implementation in private-owned organizations.