a Centre for International Child Health, London WC1 N1EH
b Health Unlimited, London SE1 9NT
Correspondence to: Dr Hesketh
Abstract
Rapid population growth in China during the 1950s and '60s led to the “late, long, few” policy of the 1970s and a dramatic reduction in the total fertility rate. However, population growth remained too high for the economic targets of Deng Xiao Ping's reforms, so the one child family policy was introduced in 1979 and has remained in force ever since. The strategy is different in urban and rural areas, and implementation varies from place to place depending on local conditions. The policy has been beneficial in terms of curbing population growth, aiding economic growth, and improving the health and welfare of women and children. On the negative side there are concerns about demographic and sex imbalance and the psychological effects for a generation of only children in the cities. The atrocities often associated with the policy, such as female infanticide, occur rarely now. China may relax the policy in the near future, probably allowing two children for everyone.
As an expert in the field, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight into the intricate details of the one-child family policy in China, a topic that has garnered international attention and scrutiny. My understanding is not merely theoretical but is grounded in extensive research and a deep exploration of the historical, social, and economic dimensions surrounding this policy.
The article titled "Health in China: The one-child family policy: the good, the bad, and the ugly" published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 1997 by Therese Hesketh and Wei Xing Zhu delves into the complexities of China's population control measures. As a research fellow and programme manager at the East Asia Centre for International Child Health, the authors bring a profound level of expertise to the discourse.
The central argument in the article revolves around the evolution of China's population policies, starting with the "late, long, few" policy of the 1970s, aimed at curbing rapid population growth. The authors highlight the subsequent implementation of the one-child family policy in 1979 under Deng Xiaoping's reforms, a measure taken to align with economic targets. Notably, the authors acknowledge the variations in strategy between urban and rural areas, as well as regional differences based on local conditions.
The positive outcomes of the one-child policy are underscored, emphasizing its success in curbing population growth, contributing to economic development, and enhancing the health and welfare of women and children. However, the authors do not shy away from addressing the negatives, citing concerns about demographic imbalances, gender disparities, and potential psychological effects on the generation of only children in urban areas.
One crucial point of discussion is the diminishing occurrence of atrocities associated with the policy, such as female infanticide. The authors argue that such practices have become rare, marking a positive shift in societal attitudes.
Looking ahead, the article suggests that China might consider relaxing the one-child policy in the near future, potentially allowing two children for everyone. This foresight demonstrates the authors' awareness of the evolving socio-economic landscape and the need for adaptive policies.
In conclusion, the article in the BMJ provides a comprehensive examination of the one-child family policy in China, backed by the expertise of the authors in the field of international child health. The nuanced discussion of both positive and negative aspects, along with the anticipation of future policy adjustments, reflects a thorough understanding of the complexities surrounding population control in China.
The one-child policy has had three important consequences for China's demographics: it reduced the fertility rate considerably, it skewed China's gender ratio because people preferred to abort or abandon their female babies, and resulted in a labor shortage given the increasing proportion of the population who were ...
The negatives include accelerating population ageing, the skewed sex ratio, and the decline in the working-age population, which would threaten economic growth. Moreover, in 1980 the government had pledged that the one-child policy would last for just one generation, so change was overdue.
The one-child policy was a program in China that limited most Chinese families to one child each. It was implemented nationwide by the Chinese government in 1980, and it ended in 2016. The policy was enacted to address the growth rate of the country's population, which the government viewed as being too rapid.
The rationale for implementing the policy was to reduce the growth rate of China's enormous population. The program was intended to be applied universally, although exceptions were made—e.g., parents within some ethnic minority groups or those whose firstborn was handicapped were allowed to have more than one child.
The one child policy is associated with significant problems, such as an unbalanced sex ratio, increased crime, and individual dissatisfaction toward the government.
What has been the consequence of China's "one-child" policy? - The number of baby boys has far outweighed the number of baby girls. - The average total fertility rate has declined to 1.5. - Some families have abandoned healthy baby girls at birth.
Here are some of the major consequences of the policy. The fertility rate decreased after 1980. The birth rate decreased after 1980. The overall rate of natural increase (the difference between the birth rate and the death rate) declined.
In 2015, the Chinese government did something it almost never does: It admitted it made a mistake, at least implicitly. The ruling Communist Party announced that it was ending its historic and coercive one-child policy, allowing all married couples to have up to two children.
Families in China can now have as many children as they like without facing fines or other consequences, the Chinese government said late Tuesday. The move followed China's announcement on May 31 that families could now have three children each.
Originally Answered: What is the law under China's one child policy, if a woman conceives twins? The one child per family policy is a bit of a misnomer. A better way of phrasing it would be a one birth per family policy. Women who give birth to twins, triplets, or more aren't penalized in any way.
The policy has been beneficial in terms of curbing population growth, aiding economic growth, and improving the health and welfare of women and children. On the negative side there are concerns about demographic and sex imbalance and the psychological effects for a generation of only children in the cities.
China's former One Child Policy had profound effects on the parenting of children in the country. As China promoted the policy, extolling the benefits of “high-quality” only children, parents began to devote extraordinary time, attention, and resources to their single child.
Existing literature has suggested that the increasing sex ratio imbalance may result from China's “unique” one-child policy. Under the one-child period, women would often have an abortion if they knew that their future child was to be a girl.
The one-child policy was designed in 1980 as a temporary measure to put a brake on China's population growth and to facilitate economic growth under a planned economy that faced severe shortages of capital, natural resources, and consumer goods.
Singelton daughters are able to use gender norms to their advantage unlike daughters born before the one-child policy who had to compete for familial resources with their brothers, whom were more often than not favored in hopes that the son would bring more promise for old-age care.
Because chronic health problems become more common in old age, China's population aging has led to increases in the country's prevalence of chronic disease and disability, creating a greater need for long-term care.
Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
