Zhang Sining (Nanfang Daily): The public's indifference to the new policy is understandable. Under the heavy pressure from work and social life, particularly the high cost of living, raising a second child is not an easy job for average families, even if they want to have one.

Therefore, it's almost impossible to raise the fertility rate by offering a relaxed child-birth policy. Given their worries about the underdeveloped social security network as well as education, medical services, housing and incomes, most of them are actually in a dilemma when asked whether they want to have a second child.

Mingxuan (www.cnhubei.com): In response to problems like the aging population, the shortage of the labor force, the shrinking family scale, and even China's sustainable development, the new second-child policy was finally approved in late 2013.

However, it seems that this much-anticipated policy has failed to produce the expected outcome. Most couples meeting the requirements say they face a dilemma. From the bottom of their heart, they want to have a second child, but they are afraid to do so. Many couples are busy with work—to raise the first child is already occupying too much time. In addition, some of them have already passed the best time for bearing another child. A second child means a heavier economic burden, which makes the future gloomy for the whole family. It seems a natural and yet helpless choice to give up the second child.

It needs time to address the many problems related to population, and we'll have to wait and see whether the second-child policy can finally work. Meanwhile, we have to realize that the defective social security network and high cost of living have hindered people's willingness to have a second child. When these issues are solved, couples will feel more willing to do so.

A social issue

Chen Xiaoyan (Guangzhou Daily): To have a second child is not only the business of a family, but in a broader sense, it is a social issue. This has been a hot debate in China since the state relaxed its family-planning policy in 2013.

Modern society presents more challenges than before. To have only one child is actually a risky choice. In extreme cases, if the child is killed by accident or disease, the loss is huge, and the pain is immeasurable.

Now the family-planning policy has been relaxed and thus it's a good time to have a second baby to prepare for unknown risks in the future.

Some may argue they can't afford another child. Indeed, diapers, milk powder, clothing, education and so on all cost money. However, when the child is growing up, he or she is able to bring the family a lot of invisible benefits. The process of raising a child is a valuable experience for parents, as they have to learn to do a lot of things to ensure a good environment for both children.

Since the parents have already had one child, they must have accumulated certain experience. To raise a second child will therefore be easier. While the family has two children, the two will learn to take care of each other and play together, saving the parents many worries and time.

Two children will certainly compose a stronger backing for the family than one child does. They can share the burden of supporting their old parents. Also, according to the Chinese tradition, having more children and grandchildren is a symbol of happiness. When seniors have more children to support them, the burden on society will naturally fall, relieving society from the heavy pressure of taking care of a large aging population.