Only, the Lonely: China Relaxes its One Child Policy

Everyone is on Facebook. Pretty much all day. We post, we share, we comment. It's just what we do. So when someone posts something to my page I don't usually bat an eye, let alone spend time pondering it. But recently, my husband posted an article by the BBC entitled  China reforms: One-child policy to be relaxed.  I read it. I pondered. I decided to hit the PAUSE button on my little book review to chat with you about this new. It's pretty big. 

China has a big problem on their hands. The population is getting older and older and there just aren't enough young people to fill their shoes. Not only that, but by 2050, the article mentions, people over 65 will represent over 25% of the total population, leaving the younger folks with an overwhelming amount of care-giving to do. When the one-child policy was introduced in China in 1979 it was meant to curb the explosive population growth in cities around the country,  but now the policy is being relaxed because, well, it's been a little too effective. Most urban families have only one child, and many of those lonely only-s are boys. Boys missing their female counter,parts. There are 24 MILLION boys living in China that author, Celia Hatton calls the "left over men"... no one for them to marry. The preference for boys in China is no secret, Hatton touches on it in the article along with mentioned the "gender imbalance" that will likely make China efforts to repopulate a little trickier.

Check it out: 

"Rights groups say the law has meant some women being coerced into abortions, which Beijing denies.

The traditional preference for boys has also created a gender imbalance as some couples opt for sex-selective abortions." 

What's more,  this generation of young Chinese will grow into what is called the 4-2-1 phenomenon: by the time they are old enough to work they will likely be taking care of both sets of grandparents AND mom and dad. Do all that by yourself  without a spouse to support you. T-O-U-G-H.

The policy change is an opportunity for China to allow the population to grow at a healthier rate, now allowing couples in which one spouse is an only child (some parts of the country require both parents be only children) to have more than one little one of their own.  The danger? If the gender selection issues go on unaddressed in China as the policy is relaxed, it's very possible that the boy/girl ratio could tip even further, resulting in even MORE boys and even FEWER girls! But there is MAJOR HOPE here. China is turning a corner, and this is a wonderful opportunity for healing to begin. China needs women now more than ever! Perhaps we are seeing history in the making right before our eyes! I will follow this story and keep you updated. In the meantime, hang around at www.giveherlife.org to learn what you can do to make a difference for girls and women world wide.


Oh, by the way...here's the article, if you're interested :  

China reforms: One-child policy to be relaxed

  Until next time... :)