CHINA’S ONE CHILD POLICY

WHAT IS IT? China’s One Child policy is a policy that the Chinese government introduced in 1979 to try and solve the problem of overpopulation. It’s main purpose was to make sure that China could support its large population with facilities such as healthcare, education, housing, good jobs and most importantly, food. The aim was to reduce poverty and to improve overall quality of life for the people. The one child policy is very hard to enforce but the presence of it has definitely played a part in improving China’s overpopulation problem.

☑ ☒ IT MAKES SENSE! DISOBEY OBEY You will get a higher standard of education for your child. There is an increased role for both parents in the workplace. The government will provide medical care for your family. Your second child and any others you decide to have will be unregistered. Your second child will not receive any authorised education. Your additional children will not receive medical care from the government. ☑ ☒

THE FACTS: Although the one child policy seems like an extremely harsh and controversial method of controlling the population, it isn’t as harsh as it may seem at first. The one child policy hasn’t actually been made law yet and it depends on which area of the country you live in as to how much it affects you. In some areas which have a low population anyway, the policy is very lenient, whereas in other areas, the policy is strictly adhered to in both rural and urban areas because it is overpopulated. With nearly 50% of China’s population live in the countryside, many are permitted to have two children because for the majority of places, the policy only applies to urban areas. Over the 30 years of family planning that China’s government has enforced, the population growth has been reduced by 300 million, showing that the rules must be benefiting the country. There are also other circumstances where a couple may be entitled to have another child if they wish. For example, if a husband and wife are both from a one child family, they are permitted to raise two children. Couples are also entitled if their first child is born handicapped or dies.

HOW IS IT ENFORCED? As you can imagine, enforcing a policy as strict as this is an extremely taxing challenge. However the Chinese government has implemented ways in ensuring hat it’s population stick to the rules they have been given. These rules include: Penalties given to anyone found breaking the policy. This may be given in money, or it could also be paid in livestock which is precious for families for food. Benefits such as rice rations are not given to families with more than one child.

Is It a FAILURE????? Children are becoming far too spoilt! Parents are treating their only children like royalty, and obese, demanding boys are being seen far too often now and they will have big problems when they reach their teens. This policy was meant to improve living conditions! GOVERNMENT’S OUT OF ORDER The One Child Policy is having negative effects on China’s population too. There will soon be, and already is a sign of an ageing population which will mean the government will have to put more money onto healthcare and pensions with fewer youngsters around to carry out the work. By the year 2025, the percentage of over 65s in China could reach 30% and instead of the traditional method of children caring for their elders, China’s elderly will have to be put into social retirement care as there won’t be enough youngsters to support them.