Safe to get pregnant in HK?

[Neha]

Of course u always have the option of going back to your beloved New Zealand and breathe the pure air there. Also u have the option of not having a second child if u think u couldnt love your own flesh n blood

 

[reei]

though i do not agree with artistinhk, i am sure she is not the only one who feels this way about hk. there many couples i know in hk, who refuse to have children because they think hk is not a place good enough to have children, extremely high cost of living, air pollution, extreme pressure to achieve everything,, from kindergarten till university, everything is a competition..
but u know, in this environment u can have a great kid or a spoilt brat, whatever, depends on how u raise your child. that's what i think..

 

[carang]

i think that artistinhk, although sounding a little.... ummmm.... condescending...actually is truly worried about what it would be like. i do agree that if it was such a huge concern, then why is her son here?

try to keep the "advice" constructive. i'm sure she expected the negative responses, but you would do more for your case setting her mind at rest with all the positives about having and raising kids here than berating her.

 

[Konradsmom]

I have to say that I don't agree with the original post - but this is my experience as a local 9born adn bred) . Sure I dind't grow up with the fresh air and great food that other countries offer . I was stressed as a child trying to match my peers when it comes to academics, remaining competitive etc. I didn't have the luxury of being able to spend time with my mom that much as she had to work full time - heck those days parents were too busy trying to keep the family afloat I pretty much brought myself up - whoever heard of playgroups amd after school activities ?

But the flip side is I don't suffer from allergies,asthma etc ( my friends who grew up in very clean countries had a hard time getting used to more polluted countries) - as I probblay have enough toxins in me already ! The competitive enviroment in HK made my transition abroad ( I went overseas to study) a piece of cake. I didn't even have things like hay fever - something many US /canadian people suffer from.

I guess there is an upside to gorwing up in HK :gl: after all.

 

[artistinhk]

Wow, what a response.

My apologies to those that are offended, that is a real shame as it was not my intention.

Of course logically we can leave Hong Kong, however as I said in my post, actually we are here because we love Hong Kong, especially the people.

The question was a honest question to find out if this thought has crossed any ones mind and how they personally dealt with it, I think maybe I needed to soften the wording.

Yes, we choose to live here now, with our child and all are healthy and happy. I realise by posting this log that actually it is my fears of parenting 2 children but initially this fear was masked by our concern of the environment.

I understand now that perhaps this is not appropriate to post such a question.

Interesting that such offence is taken when I am simply asking?

 

[esque]

I think it's a perfectly valid concern and it's one I shared. I decided to go ahead and have a baby because the timing was right, but would much prefer to have been pregnant (and raise a baby) in clean air. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[aussiegal]

Interesting that such offence is taken when I am simply asking?

It's not interesting that offence was taken, it's predictable - we are all mothers who love our children and would do anything for them. Even you forsaw that offence would be taken - you said your question wasn't 'politically correct'.

I still find it interesting to know why HK is ok for one of your children but wouldn't be for a second one...

I think it is as you say - you are really just undecided about having a second child. This is the real question that needs to be answered.

 

[LeahH]

The air may be wonderful in NZ but it's still an isolated, oft times insular place. Chldren in HK are exposed to a range of different cultures, nearby countries, languages and influences - all invaluable experiences. I loved my childhood in NZ, but am pleased that my child (soon to born in HK) will grow up bilingual, with a diverse outlook and will appreciate NZ all the more having seen those far less fortunate at close quarters.

 

[goodbye kitty]

There are so many considerations when bringing a child into the world. I sometimes feel that expat children have a rather sheltered life and wonder if my children will have an understanding of the 'real world'. I'm from a working class background and wonder if they will have the sense of identity and social responsibility that I was raised with. On the other hand, would I want my child to be brought up where I was with high crime, street violence and limited choices? Probably not.

I know that this is a little off the original thread but the fears are the same: Are we doing the best for our offspring?

I'm not sure anyone can claim to have had a perfect childhood but we love and respect our parents for doing their utmost with whatever means they had. While, I might add, ensuring their own happiness is highly considered. I think that happy parents make for happier children.

So my response is that you should go ahead and have your child here because HK makes you happy. You will have to do your best to counteract the negative aspects of this particular place (like you would in any environment - limited friends in a rural place, for example), and that's what will make you a good parent.

Just my two-pennies-worth.

 

[carang]

will your children have a sense of identity and social responsibilty???


ONLY IF YOU TEACH IT TO THEM!