FAMILY PLANNING POLICIES IN CHINA
The One-Child-Policy
The One-Child-Policy restricts married, urban couples to having only one child and was created to mitigate social, economic, and environmental problems in China.
History When the Chinese Communist Party took over in 1949, the fast growing population was regarded necessary for boosting China’s power. But the next party leader, Deng Xiaoping, reversed the government's policy to focus on birth control, since less population would accelerate China’s economic recovery after war, revolution, and a famine in 1970. Introduced in 1978, the policy was first applied in 1979 to temporarily limit communist’s China’s population growth (but in place now for over 33 years). |
Realization
The rules implemented by the policy are usually enforced through fines or legal disadvantages (e.g. in school, health care, employment). It most strictly applies to Han Chinese in urban areas. Excepted from the restrictions are twins, rural couples, ethnic minorities, parents without any siblings themselves, foreigners living in China and the regions of Hong Kong and Macau. This means that only 35,9% of the population are subject to restriction.
The rules implemented by the policy are usually enforced through fines or legal disadvantages (e.g. in school, health care, employment). It most strictly applies to Han Chinese in urban areas. Excepted from the restrictions are twins, rural couples, ethnic minorities, parents without any siblings themselves, foreigners living in China and the regions of Hong Kong and Macau. This means that only 35,9% of the population are subject to restriction.
Criticism The One-Child-Policy gives reasons to criticism. A strong increase in the older population and the decrease in the young population pose a capital economic burden on the latter and refrains the intergenerational contract from working. Also internationally heavily criticized are forced abortions,female infanticide and the underreporting of female births. The fact that Chinese culture traditionally prefers boys results in a significantly larger amount of men than women in China which causes a strong gender imbalance (governmental action against it: prohibition of gender determination at prenatal ultrasound procedure, “advertisement” for girls). |
Future
In 2010 the government decided to leave the policy unaltered until at least 2015. In 2011 however, the policy was reviewed which led to considerations to allow for couples to have a second child.If the policy continues, the Chinese population will decrease (expected peak in population: 2030 (1.46 billion), after that decline: 1.3 billion by 2050). The state then is expected to achieve zero population growth by 2025.
In 2010 the government decided to leave the policy unaltered until at least 2015. In 2011 however, the policy was reviewed which led to considerations to allow for couples to have a second child.If the policy continues, the Chinese population will decrease (expected peak in population: 2030 (1.46 billion), after that decline: 1.3 billion by 2050). The state then is expected to achieve zero population growth by 2025.