GRSJ224/chinachildpolicy

China's Child Policy

Introduction

In 1979, China introduced a policy that limited the amount of children that a family could have. Partners were only allowed to bear one child, if you exceeded the limit, you were penalized. The implementation of this harsh law has been widely acclaimed as immoral and unjust. Families were given a set number of children that they must abide to otherwise they were penalized. Decades later, the one-child policy was increased to a two-child policy. It’s a step in the right direction, yet there are still limitations and showcase goals for the Chinese government that entirely ignore the desires of residents in China that want to raise a family with more than 1 or 2 children. If one can prove they can support the family, then they should be allowed to have however many children they please.  

Prior to the Introduction of the One-Child Policy

In the 1940’s, a leader named Mao Zedong was largely a pro-life leader. He was the supreme Chinese leader between 1949 and 1976. He believed in the principle of more people equating to more power. Essentially, Mao believed in the ability where more men and women equates to a stronger nation that increases economic prosperity. However, following his death, an entirely different route was approached to China’s surge in population growth. It switched from the mindset of more people being a good thing, to more people being a deterrent for the nation. China’s population exceeded 800 million, economic growth began to stagnate, and there was a supposed decrease in standard of living due to the nature of an increased population. Subsequently, there was a serious family planning campaign that began in China in 1971. This movement commenced with a propaganda theme: ‘One child isn't too few, two are just fine, and three are too many’. Statements like this coupled with a strong campaign to advocate for birth control led China through decades of restriction and monitored familial situations regarding the amount of children birthed.

The Two-Child Policy: Before and After

Effects on Women Prior to the Two-Child Policy

This displays the preference for males where a boy is proudly held on a mother's shoulders.

Prior to the two-child policy, the effects of decades of birth limitations for residents in China made a huge lasting impact for the women in China. The one-child policy inevitably created an unbalanced sex ratio in favour of men. The newly born boys were estimated anywhere from 115:100 to 121:100, this displaying a clear majority of boys versus girls. This ratio would not have been the case given the one-child policy ceased to exist. In a culture where there is already a preference for sons, the one-child policy acted as a catalyst for male preference. Forced sterilizations are occurring at this time, newborn girls are being abandoned by their families or confiscated by family planning officials. Not only does this portray sexist cultural beliefs, but it also a negative impact for males as well. With the preference for males, this can lead to an unbalanced number of men who are single and unmarried due to there not being enough women.

Effects on Women After the Two-Child Policy

As of March 2016, the one-child policy was increased to having a two-child limit for families. Some positives that came from this indicate with all things being equal, girls will actually benefit from the disproportionate changes. This leads to less victimizing due to the ability of mitigating selective abortion and reducing underreported births. The relatively forgiving new policy allowed for women to not have to worry about birth control or trying to hide a birth that exceeded the limit of children allowed. In 1949, women were encouraged to join the workforce, and a result, their socioeconomic status increased with this change. The two-child policy is heading back in that direction of encouraging women to be more involved through an increase in free will. Still, the two-child policy sets limitations for women, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Problems for the Younger Generation

The decades of both the one and two-child policy paved the way for complications that the current generation must deal with. You could argue that the population of China grew to the point where the economy took a hit and profits were falling. But the child policies were more of a plan regarding a ‘thinking in the now’ approach. However, decades later, this leaves a shrinking pool of young people. These young people are then left trying to support their aging parents and grandparents who must rely on someone to provide for their family. In cities, the cost of raising children are becoming greater and greater. From the day children are born to the day they enter school, the economic costs are continually rising. This means that men will have to work around the clock in order to support their family. Women already have an increasingly large role birthing children and tending to them, but will now be forced to work around the clock to financially aid their family.

Plans for the Future: Abolishing All Child Policy's

A proposed plan for China has been implemented that will abolish the two-child policy. This will ensure that families will be able to have as many children as they desire, finally ending the traditions that limit the free will of women hoping to raise a family. The newly implemented two-child policy is being looked at further, and are looking to be relaxed from this state. This could potentially allow for families to have multiple children for the first time in decades. This is largely due to China seeing a drastic decline in their population and fertility rates and seeing that they could benefit from an increase in population growth once again. In 2017, the country's total fertility rate was 1.6 children per woman. This is far below the 2.1 rate estimated to be necessary to keep the massive population of China steady.