China’s One Child Policy

Since 1979 china has had a one child policy and has had a huge effect on the China’s society. However the policy is misunderstood in the west, assuming that all Chinese are restricted to just one child. In fact due to exemptions and loop holes only around 35% of the Chinese population are restricted to the one child policy.

Some of the exemptions include rural areas, parents with no siblings, and ethnic minorities. Those living in rural areas are allowed to have a second child if their first child is a girl or has a physical or mental disorder. Those who have a second child who are not exempt are fined and can also lose out on their bonus from the workplace.

China is a very male dominated population. Chinese often prefer a boy to carry on the family name - 重男轻女, zhòngnánqīngn ("favouring male offspring over female"). Favouring males led to an increase in abortions and so there is an unbalanced population in males and females. The oldest generation form the one child policy are now in their 30’s and with more males than females people are concerned of being lonely and having no one to take care of them.

The one child policy has also led to what is known as ‘Little Emperor Syndrome.’ Children who are born into a wealthy family and by policy are an only child. The children are spoiled by parents and grandparents who want to give theme everything and the children expect them to give them everything. Families often throw money (or invest) in the children to go on and live their dreams through education, music classes and so on which can often be a lot of pressure for the children also.

I was always confused when my Chinese friends would refer to their (哥哥) older brother or (妹妹) younger sister as they didn’t have any relatives. These terms are now loosely used and family extends further. What westerners call their cousins the younger Chinese generation call their brothers and sisters.

As much as over populated China is, it is estimated that the one child policy has restricted the birth of around 250 million. That’s a lot of Chinese babies!