Anti-natalist Policies A Chinese Case Study

Definition An anti-natalist policy is a policy implemented by a government aiming at decreasing the total fertility rate, as well as the crude birth rate, in order to show the population growth. China's One Child Policy is an example.

CHINA’S ONE CHID POLICY

History and Causes After China was invaded and occupied by Japan in the World War II, they wanted to strengthen their military so that it never happened again. To do this they encouraged citizens to have more children, because a bigger population potentially meant a stronger army. This policy would have been fine if China had the resources and technology to match. It is estimated that up to 30 million died during the 1960's and 1970's. This was not a sustainable policy, so the Chinese government was forced to introduce an anti-natalist policy.

History and causes One child policy is a programme that was introduced by the communist Chinese government in the late 1970’s and early 80’s to reduce the drastic increase in the population of china.

Historical Development of the policy The policy has seen many developments and changes throughout the years. In the 1980s, rural families could have another child if their first was a girl. By 1999, the policy was relaxed. This led to: All families in rural areas being allowed two children. Women were allowed a choice of contraception. In 300 trial districts, couples were given the option of voluntary family planning.

Historical Development of the policy- Cont’d In 2013, the rules were changed to allow couples to have a second child if one parent was an only child On 29th October, the Chinese government announced its relaxation of the one child policy rules. The change was that couples can now have two children. This change resulted from a predicted outnumbering ageing population . However these changes would and should not be implemented until March 2016.

Features of the policy Promoting late marriages so that couples will have less children Providing birth-control and contraceptives at low costs so that it is affordable for everyone Abortion is legalized Pregnant women who already have one child face Each couple is allowed to have one child The policy is more lenient on ethnic minorities People who follow the policy benefit from higher wages, better education and employment, free childcare and healthcare

Features- Cont’d Government trained ‘barefoot doctors’ to move around mountain villages to help instill the policy in a way that was appealing to people in rural areas If a couple has more than one child they face forced abortion, sterilization, fines, unemployment and even imprisonment Farmers are allowed to apply for a second child if the first was a girl Couples are allowed to have more than one child if one of them was an only child

Effects of the policy 1. Demographic Population growth rate is now as low as 0.47, compared to 2.7% in the 1970s There are 60 million more men than women China has an ageing population, with 9.4% of people over 65, and this number is predicted to rise. Fertility rate has decreased from 2.8 births per woman is 1980 to 1.5 in 2010. There are 400 million less people in China, than without the policy

Effects-Cont’d 2. Social It strengthened the already existing preference for male children. •It has increased the number of children without siblings. There is a chance for reduced social skills and loneliness. 'Little emperor syndrome': Children are arrogant and spoilt Increased abortions, especially for female children

Effects-Cont’d 3. Economic It has reduced pressure on resources Parents are encouraged to save to reduce the burden on their only children to take care of them when he/she grows after the introduction of the policy, economic indicators have been favorable, especially per capita ones.

Criticisms Unequal enforcement Infanticide Human rights and freedoms abuse Preference for boys Results could have been achieved without this strict policy e.g. Thailand The four-two-one problem.

References "Anti-Natalist Policy (China)." The Geographer online. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2015. <http://www.thegeographeronline.net/anti-natalist-policy-china.html>. "IGCSE Population and GCSE Population." Greenfieldgeography -. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2015. <http://greenfieldgeography.wikispaces.com/IGCSE+Population+and+GCSE+Population>. "10 Important Facts About China's One Child Policy." About.com Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2015. <http://geography.about.com/od/chinamaps/a/China-One-Child-Policy-Facts.htm>.