4b: China's One Child Policy

why was the one child policy created

in the 1970s, there were predictions made that the country wasn’t going to be very bright if the population kept growing at its current rate

was the policy more or less strict in urban areas

more

did everyone follow the policy since it was coercive

no

• many kids (esp girls) were abandoned or kidnapped

• some kids lived without an ID (didn’t exist legally)

list some unintended side effects from the policy

1. pressure on women to have boys

   • boys were considered more favourable than females

2. increase in twins

   • were able to bypass the policy

   • intentional - went to fertility clinics

3. birth tourism

   • travelling to a diff country to give birth to a child

4. unregistered children

   • resulted in children who didnt legally exist

what is the 4-2-1 problem

4 grandparents, 2 parents, 1 child

• as grandparents and parents age, responsibility for 1 child to care for all 6 becomes heavy

why did china end the policy

1. aging population - too many old people, not enough young workers

2. gender imbalance - more girls than boys

3. low birth rates

4. future crisis - who will care for the eldery

what year did the policy end

2015

• allowed 2 children

define pro natalism

government sponsored policies to increase population growth

explain why singapore implemented the pro natalist policy

they had low immigration and declining fertility

offered:

• subsidized child care

• public housing schemes

• baby bonuses

• marriage incentives

What is the reason for Japan’s population decline ?

1. delayed marriage: people choose to marry later in life

2. low birth rates

3. aging population: majority of pop is elderly

4. economic uncertainty

5. high cost of living

6. work life balance issues

7. health concerns for children

8. xenophobia related to immigration: low immigration rates

9. education costs

10. changing social norms