[Editor's Note] The Impact of One Life

In 2006 Taiwan's overall fertility rate declined to 1.1 children per woman of childbearing age-the lowest in the world (Japan is second lowest at 1.25). The sacred profession of motherhood has become very unpopular among today's females. Despite preferential policies from governments worldwide, the trend seems irreversible-another sign that the human race has deviated from the natural order of things.

But are women today truly deaf to the call of their maternal instincts? No. The problem is that life produces too much stress and anxiety, leaving everyone gasping for breath, with no time or energy to take care of a new life.

With this in mind, we decided to celebrate Mother's Day from a positive and nostalgic angle, by introducing mothers of successful individuals so that we can look at the difficulties they have been through, how they influenced their children, and how they strike the balance between self and their role as mother.

These mothers didn't pamper their children, nor were their lives centered around them; rather, they are very ambitious about their own lives. For example, Hong You-mien, "Grandma" of the National electronics brand, did her part in her husband's business. Chen Hsiou-mei, mother of Yang Yu-hsin, let go of her children to help them learn to be independent, even doing missionary work abroad for many years. Children should not be a stumbling block for mothers, but should serve as a driving force encouraging them onward. Watching their mothers courageously trying to make their mark on this world inspires children and gives them confidence.

Looking at their methods of bringing up children, we realize this world has all types of mothers. Some we interviewed prefer the carrot and stick approach, some are optimistic and uncomplicated, still others generous and hardworking. Some stress the details of their children's education, others less so. Some are ready to make sacrifices and dedicate themselves to their children, while others wouldn't dream of sacrificing-there is no such thing as a "typical" mother. If we try to explain their children's success, we find that the question is too abstract and involves too many variables. We can't, and shouldn't, judge mothers by their children's success. But we should be willing to applaud them and share in their joy.

Another focal point this month is the concluding part of our feature "Compassion in South Asia-Three Years of Taiwanese Disaster Relief." This time we report on the assistance provided by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families in Sri Lanka, especially the trauma therapy for children of all ages. Just like the post-tsunami and post-earthquake recovery work of Taiwanese NGOs in Aceh and Nias, Indonesia, their efforts have great significance.

Many Taiwanese are also serving Sri Lanka's disaster victims by spending a year with Dharma Drum Mountain's Taiwan Village Project. The volunteers, who communicate through a combination of broken English and sign language, are both awed and inspired by the local people's optimism and perseverance.

For example, on-site project director Chen Chi-yuan tells how she did her best to comfort a local man whose leg was amputated due to a traffic accident. But later she found out that Sri Lankans don't really consider such an event a major misfortune and that the man felt there was no need to go to so much trouble. The cultural differences are huge. "I'm frequently really embarrassed as I once again put my foot in my mouth," explained Chen to our editor, Coral Lee.

In six days in Sri Lanka, senior photojournalist Chuang Kung-ju captured many brilliant images, especially the resplendent smiles of the children. Don't miss his pictures in this month's Photo Essay.

This issue also includes an extensive investigation of the difficulties and changes taking place in Taiwan's publishing industry. In particular, we discuss the role of book distributors-a link in the publishing chain seldom touched upon by the media-and analyze the industry's fundamental problems of poor integration and low efficiency.

This month's Eye on the News looks at the potential impact of Vincent Siew's meeting with Hu Jintao at the Boao Forum for Asia. And our review of the book Plastic Opium coincides with two moves toward greater financial justice in Taiwan: the entry into force in April of the new Consumer Insolvency Act, and a recent amendment to inheritance law that will free children from inheriting debts that arise from financial guarantees given by their parents.