Thirty Years of China’s One-child Policy

On the 30th anniversary of its implementation, The Telegraph looks at how the one-child policy has impacted Chinese families:

When China introduced its drastic population controls, officials promised that it would lift them after 30 years – an anniversary which falls this weekend. Aware of the resentment the policy would cause, the government said it was a temporary measure in response to China’s high unemployment and food scarcity.

…With only one child to care for, parents have been able to save more money, enabling banks to make the loans that have funded China’s huge investments in infrastructure.

Meanwhile, officials claim the policy has conserved food and energy and allowed each child better education and healthcare.

…The government believes the policy has prevented 400 million births, which would otherwise have stretched the resources of China, and the world, to breaking point.

Critics, however, say it has created a rapidly ageing society, with each only child having to care for two parents and four grandparents. In 2009, almost 13 per cent of China’s population was over 60 and the share is growing rapidly. Meanwhile, a preference in Chinese families for boys over girls has created a surplus of 24 million men who will not be able to find a wife to marry.

CDT EBOOKS

Subscribe to CDT

SUPPORT CDT

Browsers Unbounded by Lantern

Now, you can combat internet censorship in a new way: by toggling the switch below while browsing China Digital Times, you can provide a secure "bridge" for people who want to freely access information. This open-source project is powered by Lantern, know more about this project.

Google Ads 1

Giving Assistant

Google Ads 2

Anti-censorship Tools

Life Without Walls

Click on the image to download Firefly for circumvention

Open popup
X

Welcome back!

CDT is a non-profit media site, and we need your support. Your contribution will help us provide more translations, breaking news, and other content you love.