1. Chapter 28
China’s One Child Policy

2. Essential Question
China’s one-child policy: Was it a good idea?

3. What does this picture represent?

4. During the 1960s the population growth rate averaged 2.4% per year
POPULATION POLICIES
During Mao Zedong's rule the population policy of China was “the more people, the stronger we are”, leading to overpopulation and a series of famines.
During the 1960s the population growth rate averaged 2.4% per year

5. “Bear as many children as possible… to make China stronger
“Bear as many children as possible… to make China stronger.” --Mao Zedong
“The happy life Chairman Mao gave us.” 1954

6. This led to overpopulation:
In million born
In over 600 million born
In 1970—830 million
Average birth number for Per couple: 5 children

7. Deng Xiaoping took power in 1978:
New policies focused on strengthening China's economy
Overpopulation as block to economic development
In 1979, China introduced the ONE CHILD POLICY.
goal: population contained within 1.2 billion by 2000.

8. Penalties
Fines ($65 - $9,000)
Forced abortions, some as late as nine months
Seizing or destroying property of families that cannot pay the fines
Job loss

9. How is the policy enforced?
The Chinese government implemented ways in ensuring that 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 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.
In some rural areas, peasants are encouraged to have more than one child to increase the amounts received from punishment fines. This money is then used to benefit the community and improve living conditions.

10. Members of ethnic minorities First child disabled or dies
General exceptions
Members of ethnic minorities
First child disabled or dies
Remarried couples
In rural areas, if first child is a girl
Pregnancy after adoption

11. Success of the Policy
The policy has led to a decrease in population by 300 million over the 30 years the policy has been in place

12. Benefits of the Policy
It encourages female independence and the opportunity to be equal in the workplace
Improved standards of living for families
Education is costly so the one child can be more highly educated
Less mouths to feed so less famine
Less competition for jobs – lower unemployment
The problems of overpopulation decreases

13. Why only one? CHINA STATES THE BENEFITS ARE:
You have more time to concentrate on that one child.
You won’t be put under as much financial strain as you would be if you were to have more than one child.
One child will not take up as much of your time as two or three will, so you will have more time to concentrate on your career.
Your child is much more likely to become successful if you are able to spend more time supporting it.
You will be able to offer your child a better quality of life if you are able to focus all of your attention on it, rather than numerous children.

15. Gender Imbalance a global average of 103 to 107.
 118 boys are born for every 100 girls, against
a global average of 103 to 107.

17. China’s Working-Age Population Sees Biggest-Ever Decline
China’s working age population saw its biggest decline in 2015,
underscoring demographers’ warnings of an oncoming labor shortage
in the country.

19. Downside: ratio of old age dependence
More old people; fewer young
4:2:1 phenomenon; couple responsible for 1 child & 4 parents

23. These images show one horrific consequence of the one child policy - boy preference has meant that a significant number of baby girls have been abandoned or even killed (female infanticide).