China's One Child Policy

Flashcards about the key aspects of China's One Child Policy.

One Child Policy

A population control policy implemented in China in 1979 to limit population growth.

Mao Zedong's Population Policy

Policy during Mao's rule (1949-1976) that encouraged larger families, leading to overpopulation.

Deng Xiaoping's Economic Focus

Focused on strengthening China's economy after 1978, viewing overpopulation as a hindrance to economic development

Goal of the One Child Policy

To limit China's population to 1.2 billion by the year 2000.

Rewards for Following the One Child Policy

Included extra salary, retirement funds, better housing, healthcare, and priority school enrollment.

Punishments for Disobeying the One Child Policy

Included no registration for additional children, fines, loss of possessions, forced sterilizations and abortions.

No Registration Consequences

Children born outside of the One Child Policy would have no identity within China and no access to services, including hospital treatment.

Exceptions to the One Child Policy

Included multiple births (twins), ethnic minorities, and parents who were only children themselves

Rural Exception

In rural areas, if the first child was a girl, couples were allowed to have another child.

Disability Exception

Families who had a child with mental or physical disabilities were allowed to have another child.

Forced Sterilization

A punishment for those that disobeyed the one child policy that prevented adults from conceiving children again.

Forced Abortions

A punishment that couples who disobeyed the One Child Policy were subjected to.

Outcomes of the One Child Policy

Is thought to have saved China from 400 million births and helped it become an economic powerhouse.

Social Tragedy

For many people, this is how the One Child Policy was seen.

1979

The year that authorities tightened their control and united households to only one child.

Cheap Fertilizer

This was given to couples that followed the One Child Policy rules.

Granny Police

People who went around enforcing the One Child Policy.

Passport

Children born outside of the One Child Policy would have no access to get this.

Twins

There were no punishments for couples that had this multiple birth.

400 Million

The estimated number of births the One Child Policy saved China from.