Viewpoint: At present, I'd prefer to bring up my kid in Taiwan instead of the United States. It's not just me.
In their late twenties, these individuals left behind their familiar surroundings and made their way to Los Angeles' suburban regions, where I was raised. It was a prevalent trend during the 1970s and 1980s, as approximately 20% of Taiwanese college graduates chose to pursue higher education abroad. Few returned.
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My parents viewed the United States as a haven of safety and comfort for their children. In contrast, they endured cramped living conditions and moved through polluted streets. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the luxury of a four-bedroom house with a yard and a swimming pool.
My parents had been raised under martial law, an era where dissent was met with imprisonment and violence. In contrast, I was raised in a nation where the right to free speech is enshrined in the constitution.
However, I set out and did the opposite of what my parents had intended. In 2020, on the brink of a global pandemic, I made the decision to relocate to Taiwan with my spouse. My a kid was born in Taipei the following year.
Due to rising tensions with China, many perceive Taiwan to be "the most dangerous place in the world" according to international experts. Questions about my safety and the potential for conflict regularly surface when myself and my husband leave the country.
Albeit being biased due to personal experiences and privileged circumstances, there areno other places I'd rather raise my child currently.
HOW TAIWAN ECLIPSED AMERICA
Significant changes have occurred in Taiwan over the past three decades. It has progressed from a dictatorship to a flourishing democracy.
In Taiwan, elections are managed peacefully, in sharp contrast to the US, where the notion of a peaceful transition has lost relevance.
Guns are prohibited in Taiwan, whilst in the US, they are one of the leading causes of child fatalities.
Taiwan provides universal healthcare , enabling people to access immediate and affordable treatment. I can easily obtain my medical history by presenting a chip on my health card. Although the American healthcare system is known for its complexity, it is more cutting-edge than Taiwan's.
The starkest contrasts become apparent with my new status as a mother. The subway system in Taiwan features designated seating areas for pregnant women and children. Nursing rooms can be found at every major station.
Taipei also offers free play centres for children packed with a variety of toys. All new parents have access to monthly cash handouts, while certified daycare and in-home nanny services are funded by local government. In the US, only low-income families receive financial aid.
Though delving into these nations' detailed political contexts can lead to misconstrued comparisons, the differences between the American and Taiwanese healthcare systems are substantial.
Although Taiwan is an ideal place for babies, the education system can be intimidating for children. In the Taiwanese education system, rote learning is emphasised and creativity is discouraged. My husband and I are unsure about committing to a long-term stay in Taiwan, but the US is at the bottom of our list of potential new homes due to its subpar family-friendly policies.
BEYOND TRUMP
Though Taiwanese people continue to respect the United States, their regard falls more on the nation's role as a military ally and defender of Taiwan's interests. During the 2020 elections, many Taiwanese citizens hoped for Donald Trump's re-election primarily due to his hardline stance against China.
However, in the current election cycle, attitudes have significantly shifted. President Joe Biden is admired for his firm stance against Beijing and Trump-support has diminished, particularly given recent remarks by the former president regarding Taiwan's alleged theft of American semiconductor businesses.
According to Wei-Ting Yen, an assistant professor at Franklin & Marshall College who specialises in Asian countries, "As long as the United States continues to show both symbolic and practical support and cooperation with Taiwan, Taiwanese people aren't concerned about who's next US President."
The most significant change is in the perceptions regarding the United States. While the US remains a desirable destination for those who can afford it, it has lost its allure as a refuge. Those in Taiwan have formed similar ideas about the states.
Recently, during a conversation with the owner of a Chinese medicine shop in Taipei, he wondered if Los Angeles was safe to walk in, based on news of increasing crime and violence. He assumed there were guns everywhere and the city was disorganised.
"I feel safer here," I replied, disinclined to go into more detail.
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He gave a deep nod. "Taiwan is safer," he said.
Moving Backward to Safety
The perception that the US has become more dangerous may not be factual, but I've grown so used to keeping my guard up that it feels that way. In Taipei, I can stroll through dark streets past midnight with my purse wide open without fear of being robbed. I can even leave my phone, wallet, and laptop on a coffee shop table while I go to the bathroom and they'll still be there when I return. Some of my friends don't even bother locking their front doors. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing any of the above in America.
According to the 2021 Global Peace Index, Taiwan is the 33rd most peaceful state or territory in the world, while the United States ranks 131st.
Last year, when my husband and I were in the San Francisco Bay Area for a wedding, our friends cautioned us against leaving anything valuable in the car. Coming from Taiwan, we didn't pay much attention until we noticed the broken car window glass littering the streets.
Lately, many older people like my parents and their friends living in the US are planning to retire in Taiwan, not letting the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan unsettle them. With dual citizenship and the ability to leave if needed, they no longer feel anxious like they did in their youth.
In his sixties, my father believes the Chinese threat will never become a reality. Though I don't agree with him, I get his perspective. The tension between China and Taiwan has been ongoing for seven decades now, and as time goes on, it feels more abstract despite the increasing rhetoric and airspace incursions.
China perceives Taiwan as part of its territory, although it's never controlled it. They've never ruled out using force to annex Taiwan.
The threat of war looms overhead like a never-ending dark cloud. The longer you think about it, the more it makes you feel jittery and sweaty. But, at the same time, it seems abstract because it's a possibility, not a certainty. If anything, political violence and unrest in the States seem more imminent considering it's not unprecedented. On a daily basis, though, Taiwan feels like the preferable place to live.
I asked my dad - a lifelong Republican - who he considered a bigger threat in the upcoming year: Chinese President Xi Jinping or former President Donald Trump.
Without a moment of hesitation, he answered, "Trump. Because he's more unpredictable."
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Despite living in the safety and comfort of a four-bedroom house with a yard and a swimming pool in the United States, I now feel safer raising my child in the perceived danger of Taiwan. My shift in opinion is influenced by the country's emphasis on free speech, high-quality healthcare, and family-friendly policies, which are lacking in the US.
Given the current climate of Taiwan being perceived as the "most dangerous place in the world" due to rising tensions with China, it's surprising that individuals, like me, still have no other place they'd rather raise their child currently, despite personal biases and privileged circumstances.
Source: edition.cnn.com
