Chiang Wan-an says parent pick-ups are precious time; Chang Chin-sen calls him 'mama's boy mayor'

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an suggested that parents picking up their children offers a sense of security and provides valuable parent-child bonding time. He also promoted the city's "reduced working hours for parenting families without reduced pay" policy, aiming to give parents more time for school runs.

However, former Minister without Portfolio Chang Chin-sen sharply criticized Chiang's remarks, labeling them the "mama's boy mayor's happy pick-up theory." Chang argued that Chiang's perspective overlooks critical urban governance issues, such as traffic safety and public security, which are the real reasons parents feel compelled to drive their children to school. He questioned whether the city's transportation and security measures are adequate.

Chang contended that the issue is not merely individual family choices but a sign of urban governance failure. He pointed out that while affluent parents can afford to drive their children, families with fewer resources face greater challenges. He warned that increased car traffic around schools exacerbates congestion and safety risks, creating a detrimental cycle.

Furthermore, Chang argued that the mayor's framing of pick-ups as "precious parent-child time" sidesteps the core problem. He stressed that children need to develop independence by learning to navigate, follow rules, assess risks, and travel with peers, rather than being constantly escorted. Chang suggested Taipei could learn from Japanese cities, which focus on safe walking routes, group commutes, community watch programs, and school safety systems to foster children's independence.