Chinas One Child Policy Chinas One Child Policy

China’s One Child Policy

China’s One Child Policy • 1979 law • Restricts family size • Advocates delayed marriage and delayed child bearing • Advocating fewer and healthier babies • Advocating one child per couple

Rationale for the Policy • Feeding 25% of world’s population on 7% of the arable land • Population containment essential to economic reform & living standards

Exceptions to Rule • Rule applies to: – Mainly urbanites & gov’t employees

Exceptions • Farmers • Ethnic minorities

Penalties vary according to region • • Economic incentives for compliance Fees levied for non compliance Loss of job security Confiscation of belongings

Is it working? • Fertility rate declined from 2. 9 in 1979 to 1. 77 children per woman in 2008

Is it working? One child policy introduced

Consequences of the policy • So far the policy has reduced China’s population by 250 million • “Little emperors” -spoiled kids who have no concept of sharing or dealing with siblings

Consequences of the policy Gender ratio 100 girls to 115 boys 1980 -2001 • Sex selective abortion—illegal • Non-registration of females • Abandonment of females • Lack of eligible brides – – Mental health problems for men Socially disruptive behavior in men Kidnapping & trafficking or women More sex workers & STDs

Why boys? • Social safety net – Financial dependence on offspring essential for 70% of elderly • Sons care for parents • Daughters tend parentsin-law

Billboard promoting girls "There's no difference between having a girl or a boy — girls can also continue the family line. "

Downside: ratio of old age dependence • More old people; fewer young • 4: 2: 1 phenomenon; couple responsible for 1 child & 4 parents

The future of the policy? • China's eleventh Five-Year Plan Period is from 2006 to 2010. Minister of the State Commission of Population and Family Planning Zhang Weiqing confirmed in early 2006 that China's one child policy is consistent with the nation's plan for population growth and would continue indefinitely. He denied rumors that the policy become less stringent to permit a second child.