I chose to write about China’s One Child Policy. I find this
policy to be outrageous, but I understand that someone from China, or other
parts of the world, may not. I have heard about the One Child Policy before but
when reading my letter from Ann, one of my correspondents from China, I became
much more curious. She wrote,
“I am the only child in my home, so I get all
love of my parents. In fact, I am a bit selfish and paradoxical in this matter.
I don’t want a brother or sister in the future because I am not patient enough
to get along with a baby who will share even snatch my parents’ attention in
the rest of my life. May other people will be in euphoria to have a sister or
brother, but it is not my reflection to this kind of occasion.”
Although Ann does not specifically say that the One Child Policy is responsible for her being an only child, it got me thinking. How does
the policy work? Are there exceptions? What happens when women accidentally
become pregnant with a second child?
After
further research I learned that in 1979 China’s population was a quarter of the
world’s people and following the Cultural Revolution, the government found it
necessary to prevent the baby boomers of the 1950s-1960s from reproducing
multiple children as well. The State Family Planning Bureau sets standards that
are to be followed by the population. Of course, there are special situations
and exceptions. Some of the exceptions include if the first baby has a
disability, if both parents work in high-risk jobs, or if the parents
themselves are from One Child families. Despite its name, the policy only caters
to a minority of the population. In rural areas a second child is usually
allowed as long as there is a five year difference between them and the first
child. Despite the exceptions, this policy leaves many women without a choice
but to use contraceptives or get an abortion. (The Effect of China's One-Child Policy).
I,
personally, could not even begin to imagine my life without my brothers. I can’t
imagine being a parent who wants multiple children but knowing that I could
only have one. I understand it from the government’s point of view (to an
extent) because they are trying to keep their population lower to preserve good
living standards. I hope China decides that the time for the One Child Policy
is over. After all, it has been 35 years.
"The Effect of China's One-Child Family Policy after 25 Years — NEJM." New England Journal of Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.
My correspondent, Ann.
