In China, the most populous country in the world, slowing down their population rate seemed to be a big concern. The Chinese had been successful in this matter by creating the one- child policy, established by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979. Since then, the rule has been estimated to have reduced population growth in the country of 1.3 billion; by as much as 300 million people over its first 20 years. This policy had been a subject of controversy and may face serious consequences in the future. In the past decades, China’s one-child policy has been necessary, but not voluntary and effective.
First, the policy has been necessary in some ways because before the policy was started, China was facing some hard times- food shortages was a big problem and an economic reform was needed. To help them, the one-child policy was made. It was said to be an emergency measure to slow population growth, but it has now been running for almost 30 years. The policy has not been quite necessary in other matters too. Michael Bristow from BBC News said, “Reducing the number of people, for example, does not automatically help the environment, as China has found” (Doc. C). Also, from The Philadelphia Inquirer, an article titled “The Lost Sons of China” showed some chilling information. Kidnapping innocent little boys and selling them to unknown families is horrible. The children’s mothers not knowing where they are or how the families will treat them is an awful thing to encounter. In addition, the authorities did not even help the people with this issue. “In rare cases, parents have found their kidnapped children themselves. But local authorities, siding with local residents, who purchased boys, prevented parents from getting their children back” (Doc. D). This one-child policy caused problems—like this issue about the kidnapping of little boys. The boys are sold to country people, who are allowed to have two children, because they want to be assured of having a son to carry on the family name.
Secondly, the policy is not voluntary because there are fines that follow if women have unauthorized children. The fines for having unauthorized children are to either be forced to have an abortion or pay a fine of up to $2,000, which is more than a one year’s wage. There have also been people in cities who wish to have more than one child but of course they can not. In an article by Peng Zhiliang, she says, “A survey of young married couples in Yangzhou city, Jiangsu province, shows that 43 percent wished to have a single child, 57 percent would prefer to have two, and none wanted three” (Doc. A). This shows that the majority of the people wanted more than one child—a larger family. There are people who disagree with the policy but have to accept it. From BBC News, Bristow said, “Despite forced abortions ad severe financial penalties, many couples still get around the law by sending the pregnant woman to stay with relatives until the baby is born or claiming the newborn baby was adopted or belongs to a friend or relative” (Doc. F). So this is evidence that people want to have more children. Some sneak around the policy because they don’t accept it and want to have the children they want.
The rule has not been quite effective either because Bristow said, “This will result in an