China faces the difficult task of feeding 22% of the world's population on only 7% of the planet's arable land. The country has a history of disastrous famines so one is able to see why a plan to control the population was necessary.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Introduction to the Policy
China's one child policy is probably the most famous example of government intervention to affect fertility. The policy was introduced in 1979 by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in an attempt to curb rapid population growth. Although originally designed to be a temporary measure the policy is still in affect 30 years on.
China faces the difficult task of feeding 22% of the world's population on only 7% of the planet's arable land. The country has a history of disastrous famines so one is able to see why a plan to control the population was necessary.
China faces the difficult task of feeding 22% of the world's population on only 7% of the planet's arable land. The country has a history of disastrous famines so one is able to see why a plan to control the population was necessary.
How does the One Child Policy work?
The policy encourages fewer and healthier children, delayed marriage and child bearing. Parents are only limited to one child in urban areas such as Beijing or Shanghai. In rural areas two children are permitted and in regions of ethnic minorities there are no restrictions.
Parents are encouraged to obey the policy by the significant benefits available to a "One-Child Certificate" holder. These benefits include income bonuses, better healthcare, a better pension and priority for housing. The child also recieves priority for daycare, education and jobs in the future.
Refusal to obey the policy results in a 10% tax increase and in urban areas can bring heavy fines of up to 50% of a families annual income.
Parents are encouraged to obey the policy by the significant benefits available to a "One-Child Certificate" holder. These benefits include income bonuses, better healthcare, a better pension and priority for housing. The child also recieves priority for daycare, education and jobs in the future.
Refusal to obey the policy results in a 10% tax increase and in urban areas can bring heavy fines of up to 50% of a families annual income.
Monday, 19 January 2009
Demographic Issues
A number of demographic issues have been created as a result of the One Child Policy.
Due to a traditional preference for male children, it is common for young girls to be killed or abandoned by their parents. This has led to a significant gender imbalance in China, with some sources reporting that men outnumber women by as many as 60 million.
Another problem is the shifting dependency ratio caused by a fertility rate as low as 1.5. This will lead to an aging population similar to that seen in many MEDCs for example Germany. However in China's case the effects may be more extreme due to a rapidly decreasing workforce.
Due to a traditional preference for male children, it is common for young girls to be killed or abandoned by their parents. This has led to a significant gender imbalance in China, with some sources reporting that men outnumber women by as many as 60 million.
Another problem is the shifting dependency ratio caused by a fertility rate as low as 1.5. This will lead to an aging population similar to that seen in many MEDCs for example Germany. However in China's case the effects may be more extreme due to a rapidly decreasing workforce.
Other Issues
The One Child Policy has not only had demographic impacts, there have been a number of other effects also.
Civil unrest has been caused in many areas as a response to excessive punitive measures enforced by the authorities. For example in the southwestern Guangxi region there were reports of officials forcing pregnant woman to abort their illegal second children. As a result riots broke out and a number of people were killed.
Some groups have claimed that the One Child Policy is in breach of civil rights laws. However as these laws do not exist in China it is difficult for any action to be taken.
'Little Emperor Syndrome' is a problem that affects both parents and children in a one child family. Parents want their children to be happy and to succeed. They put all their efforts and resources into the raising of their one child who as a result has an increased sense of self-importance.
The recent earthquake in Sichuan province resulted in the collapse of schools and the deaths of many children. This already tragic event was made worse by the fact that most families only have one child - the parents whose children were killed had lost everything.
Civil unrest has been caused in many areas as a response to excessive punitive measures enforced by the authorities. For example in the southwestern Guangxi region there were reports of officials forcing pregnant woman to abort their illegal second children. As a result riots broke out and a number of people were killed.
Some groups have claimed that the One Child Policy is in breach of civil rights laws. However as these laws do not exist in China it is difficult for any action to be taken.
'Little Emperor Syndrome' is a problem that affects both parents and children in a one child family. Parents want their children to be happy and to succeed. They put all their efforts and resources into the raising of their one child who as a result has an increased sense of self-importance.
The recent earthquake in Sichuan province resulted in the collapse of schools and the deaths of many children. This already tragic event was made worse by the fact that most families only have one child - the parents whose children were killed had lost everything.
How successful has the policy been?
According to Chinese officials, the policy has successfully prevented 400 million births.
Other sources agree that the policy has been effective in reducing fertility rates - Professor Wang Feng of the University of California has said that "The total fertility rate - the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime - was reduced from over five to slightly over two". However the policy is not always described as a success due to the extent of the other issues that it has created (see above).
This BBC news article considers to what extent the policy has worked and looks at some of the negative impacts.
Other sources agree that the policy has been effective in reducing fertility rates - Professor Wang Feng of the University of California has said that "The total fertility rate - the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime - was reduced from over five to slightly over two". However the policy is not always described as a success due to the extent of the other issues that it has created (see above).
This BBC news article considers to what extent the policy has worked and looks at some of the negative impacts.
Monday, 12 January 2009
Future of the policy
Zhang Weiqing, Minister of the State Commission of Population and Family Planning, said in 2006 that China planned to continue its family planning policy at least until the end of its eleventh five year plan in 2010 and denied rumours that restrictions would become less stringent.
Zhang Weiqing - at a press conference in 2006
More recent announcements suggest that the policy will not be scrapped for at least ten years.
This article in the Telegraph has more details.
Zhang Weiqing - at a press conference in 2006
More recent announcements suggest that the policy will not be scrapped for at least ten years.
This article in the Telegraph has more details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
