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Despite holding the rule of the "One Child Policy" why can many families with two or more children still be seen on the streets of China?
What is known in the western world as the ‘One Child Policy’ was introduced in China in 1979 in order to control the population growth. Known in Chinese as the “birth plan” it’s purpose was an effort to strengthen China’s economy. Currently China has 1.3 billion inhabitants. The policy was an attempt to reduce the fast growing population, which was believed to be a roadblock to China’s economic development. It is widely believed that the ‘One Child Policy’ was a strict rule limiting all Chinese families to one child only. It was an ideal where all families were strongly encouraged to bear only one child. There are, of course exceptions to the rule. This would explain why then families with two or more children are occasionally seen out on the streets. Firstly, where a family is located has a bearing on how many children they are allowed. This 'One Child Policy' is usually only implemented in urban areas. Families living in rural areas are allowed more than one child. Also depending on where the family is located, some places rule that if the first child is female or disabled the family is allowed to have another child, usually about 3 or 4 years afterwards. In addition to the 'One Child Policy', in 2002 it was ruled that the policy is applied to ethic Han Chinese only. There are a total of 56 minority tribes, including the Uygher, Naxi, Hui tribes. All of these tribes are excluded from the policy. Finally, there has been a more recent loop-hole in the 'One Child Policy'. Many of these single children have now grown up, and married other single children. Thus, a family consisting of parents who are both ‘the only child’, can have two children. Well, what about those who do not fit into any other these categories, and still have more than one child? The penalty of going against the 'One Child Policy' is fines. The fine for a child is calculated based on the parents income. In some cases the fines have reached over 100 000USD, resulting in having many children as being a status symbol. Despite these few exceptions, it appears that the 'One Child Policy' is not going to be relaxed anytime soon. In 2006, yet another Five Year Plan Period began (ending at the end of 2010). China succeeded in controlling the population growth by as much as 300 million people in the first twenty years. So, the policy will continue indefinitely. A recent news item in Xin Hua On-line about this topic: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/07/content_5711463.htm
The copyright of the article China's One Chilld Policy in China Travel is owned by Larissa Cherry. Permission to republish China's One Chilld Policy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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