CHINA - POPULATION

CHINA - POPULATION

1. 1970'S - Government realised that country heading for famine unless severe changes were made quickly

   • Changes from farming to industrial economy had caused huge famine from 1959-1961
     • 35 million deaths
     • baby boom followed
       • Population grew too fast to be sustainable
         • government made strict rules to avoid another crisis
           • ONE CHILD POLICY
             • Must not marry until late 20's
             • must only have 1 successful pregnancy
             • must be sterilised after 1st child or abort any future pregnancies
             • would receive a 5-10% salary rise for limiting their fsmily to 1 child
             • get priority housing,pension,family benefit inc free education for 1 child
             • PUNISHMENT FOR DISOBEYING RULE & HAVING 2ND CHILD
               • 10% Salary cut
                 • could include work mates
               • fine was so large it would bankrupt most homes
               • family would have to pay for education of both children and health care for all family
               • 2nd child born abroad are not penalised but not allowed to become chinese citizens
               • GRANNY POLICE- older women of community entrusted to keep a check on child bearing couples making sure they take contraception
             • EXEMPTION FROM RULE
               • MINORITY GROUPS - would die out so exempt.
               • families in rural areas
                 • sons essential to work the family land
                   • 2nd pregnany allowed if 1st child a girl
             • had to apply for permission to try & become pregnant
               • if did not succeed in 6 months had to wait for another opportunity

2. PROBLEMS OF THE POLICY

   • Some women forced to have abortions as late as 9 months
   • women placed under tremendous pressure from their families workmates granny police
   • Local officials and central government had power over peoples personal life
   • Chinese society prefers sons over daughters - some girls put in orphanages or allowed to die in hope having a son 2nd time round
     • over 15 million orphans
       • mostly girls
         • often treated cruelly
   • Chinese children accused of being spoilt as only child

3. BENEFITS OF POLICY

   • Famine did not happen
   • Population growth slowed
     • enough food and jobs
   • estimated 400 million fewer people have been born
   • technology & exploitation of resources increased standard of living
     • new industries lifted millions out of poverty - partly result of 1 child policy
   • CONSEQUENCES OF POLICY
     • Less time needed for child care women have been able to concentrate on having a career
     • policy will not change until 2015
       • 2008 still has 1 million more births than deaths every 5 weeks
       • 2008 half population lived on less than $2 a day
     • with boys being favoured rather than girls china has serious gender imbalance
       • 60 million more young men than women

4. CHANGES TO POLICY IN 190'S & 2000'S

   • young couples who are both only children can have 2 children
     • government officials are to set a good example and have only 1 child
   • as become wealthier families choose to pay fines & HAVE LARGER FAMILIES
   • Couples no longer need to ask permission to start families
   • Shanghai government considering introducing incentives to have 2 children
   • now illegal to discriminate against women who give birth to baby girls and sex selective abortions illegal
   • 2008 massive earthquake killed lots of children policy relaxed in that area