MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government is strengthening its strategies to address demographic changes and shifting trends in child-rearing among Generation Z, or Gen Z. The regional government is pursuing these efforts by strengthening the Family Learning Center (PUSPAGA), providing reproductive health education, promoting economic empowerment, and aligning national parenting programs through Taman Asuh Sayang Anak (TAMASYA).
These measures form part of a strategy to strengthen
family resilience while responding to various issues that could affect family continuity and children's development. The
North Sumatra Provincial Government and the North Sumatra representative office of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) are also focusing on changing attitudes among young people toward marriage and having children.
These issues were discussed during a meeting between North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya and Mahyuzar, head of the BKKBN representative office in North Sumatra, along with his team. The meeting took place on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Deputy Governor's office at the North Sumatra Governor's Office, Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro Number 30, Medan.
During the meeting, the participants discussed various population and family issues currently emerging in society. Particular attention was given to the childfree phenomenon, referring to the conscious decision by an individual or couple not to have children.
"This is a comprehensive strategy to strengthen family resilience, prevent violence against children and women, and reduce the stunting rate," Surya said.
Childfree Trend Among
Generation ZHead of the North Sumatra Office for Women's Empowerment, Child Protection and Family Planning Dwi Endah Purwanti said choosing not to have children is among the trends emerging among Generation Z.
According to Dwi Endah, young people make such decisions after considering various aspects of their lives. Economic factors, mental readiness, and the ability to manage their time in a balanced manner are among the considerations influencing their decisions.
"This movement is particularly evident in urban areas," she said.
The phenomenon shows that some members of the younger generation are changing the way they view family planning. Readiness for married life, the ability to meet a family's needs, and willingness to take responsibility for raising children are among the dynamics requiring attention.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government is therefore adopting an approach that does not focus solely on increasing the birth rate. At the same time, it seeks to ensure that young people receive adequate knowledge and support before entering family life.
Dwi Endah said the
North Sumatra Provincial Government, together with the BKKBN, is responding to these dynamics through various programs targeting families and young people.
PUSPAGA and TAMASYA are part of these efforts, particularly by providing families with free counseling and consultation services on child-rearing issues.
Through these services, families have access to a space where they can seek advice on parenting and various challenges in family life. The government hopes that strengthening family services will contribute to the development of better parenting practices while creating an environment that supports children's development and growth.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDFREE PHENOMENON: Head of the North Sumatra Office for Women's Empowerment, Child Protection and Family Planning Dwi Endah Purwanti explains the development of the childfree phenomenon among
Generation Z and the
North Sumatra Provincial Government's response through
PUSPAGA and TAMASYA. (PHOTO: Fahmi Aulia)
PUSPAGA and TAMASYA Strengthened
Strengthening
PUSPAGA and TAMASYA is also part of efforts to align regional government programs with national parenting policies. The
North Sumatra Provincial Government believes that strengthening families requires cross-sector cooperation so that various issues involving children, women, reproductive health, and family welfare can be addressed in an integrated manner.
The programs are also intended to help families cope with social changes taking place within the population. Education, counseling, and assistance are important instruments to ensure that families have sufficient knowledge and skills to carry out their parenting responsibilities.
In addition to child-rearing issues, reproductive health education is also a key focus. Adequate knowledge is expected to help young people better understand various aspects of preparing to establish a family.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government also considers economic empowerment an important component of the strategy. Economic support is significant because financial pressures can influence young people's decisions about when to marry and when to have children.
Through an approach covering education, reproductive health, economic factors, and mental readiness, the government is seeking to strengthen
family resilience in a more comprehensive manner. At the same time, the approach forms part of efforts to prepare for future changes in population structure and demographic dynamics.
EDUCATION ON MARRIAGE READINESS AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT: Mahyuzar, head of the BKKBN representative office in North Sumatra, explains the importance of education on marriage readiness, economic support, mental preparation, and reproductive health for young people. (PHOTO: Fahmi Aulia)
BKKBN Highlights Growing Population Aging
Mahyuzar, head of the BKKBN representative office in North Sumatra, said his meeting with the Deputy Governor and his team also served as an opportunity to present various current issues related to population and family development.
One of the issues discussed was the restructuring of the organizational structure and work procedures (OTK) within the Ministry of Population Development and Family Affairs and the National Population and Family Planning Agency (Kemendukbangga/BKKBN).
The restructuring follows the government's institutional transformation of the BKKBN into a ministry. BKKBN representative offices at the provincial level are also currently undergoing institutional adjustments to become technical implementation units (UPT).
Mahyuzar said that in addition to institutional matters, the development of the childfree phenomenon in society, particularly among young people, was also discussed.
"Second, there is the growing phenomenon at present, namely the childfree movement," he said.
According to Mahyuzar, the phenomenon could affect the birth rate. In the long term, he said, the development is an aspect that needs to be taken into consideration in addressing the increasing aging of the population, or the aging population.
He explained that some young people are postponing marriage or choosing not to have children because they are considering, among other factors, financial security, high living costs, and housing expenses. These factors are among the considerations young people take into account when planning their family lives.
For this reason, the BKKBN is promoting stronger education and support to help young people prepare for family life. The approach includes marriage preparation, economic support, mental readiness, and reproductive health knowledge.
"We are seeking to strengthen education on marriage readiness, economic support, mental preparation, and reproductive health so that young people are not prevented by systemic barriers from starting a family," Mahyuzar said.
Strengthening
family resilience through various programs is intended to help young people make decisions about their family lives based on better preparation. At the same time, the government and the BKKBN continue to promote a safe family environment that supports children's development and growth.
These measures are also part of the response to continuously changing demographic dynamics. By strengthening family services, providing reproductive health education, offering economic support, and developing parenting programs, the North Sumatra Provincial Government and the BKKBN are seeking to maintain family resilience while preparing society for future changes in population structure. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala