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.
Yeah I know what you mean, it is so unethical as that a government should not have the power to limits its people rights, and one that comes to children. The right is that it is a human rights violation to harm peoples wishes to have children. And, in the name of over population it is to he a bad example for the policy effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is a bit strange to think that the could control something like th number of kids one can have but it may have been the right call to make at the time. I doubt that they will lift the law soon because they are still, I believe, very populated and crowded.
ReplyDeleteI think being an only child would be very lonely and boring.
ReplyDeleteI also did the one child law and I found that they are changing the law a bit to where the parents who are also "singletons" can have two children.
ReplyDeleteLife with out my brother and sister would be extremely boring, I couldn't imagine life without them.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine my life without my older sister! One of my girls from China has younger twin siblings.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with the policy, but you're right - it's easy to see why the government of China would want to limit it's population. Especially considering that the motive seemed to be improved living conditions.
ReplyDeleteI'm an only child, and I can kind of see where Ann is coming from. Although I wouldn't have minded having a brother or sister. The one-child law sounds really interesting. If I wanted to have more than one child, I probably would move somewhere where it was acceptable. I would never want to get an abortion even if it's government standards, so I wonder what people do in China if this happens.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine growing up without my sister. I think it is insane to limit people to a certain amount of children.
ReplyDeleteIf I was told to get an abortion I know I would move away from that place. This is something I would never agree to and would find the child more important than the place I'm living. This policy is one thing that would keep me from living in China.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my cousins are adopted from China and are both results of the Single Child Policy.
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