Chris Buckley, NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/world/asia/china-end-one-child-policy.html
Who? Chinese communist government (enacts policy), Chinese people (whom the policy effects)
What? China ended its infamous one child policy, now allowing two children. The policy was created by the communist regime in the late 1970’s to slow the population growth and increase economic prosperity. However, the policy has had negative repercussions such as a skewed sex ratio. Because boys are traditionally valued to girls, abortion and infanticide has occurred. In addition, the policy has created a growing population of elders.
Where: China
When: October 29, 2015
Why? According to the National Health and Family Planning Commission it was abolished in order to “increase labor supply and ease pressures from an aging population.” The author notes that about 10% of the population is over 65, and estimates say by 2035, it is likely to reach 20%. This is problematic in China because it is tradition for adults to take care of their elders. From an economic standpoint, the government hopes to replenish the national workforce.
May take many months for policy to take effect - must be refined by central government and implemented by the provisional government - it probably won’t take into affect until march of 2015
Reaction of people: After hearing the news most Chinese were not encouraged to have any more than one child anyway, or were indifferent on the topic. Because raising children is very expensive, many are reluctant to have more than one child.
Democratic Values:
Liberty: Under the one child policy, the people of China were unable to live without oppressive restrictions and limitations. The policy restricted the citizens’ ability to choose their desired number of children and oppressed those who disobeyed it under harsh fines, forced abortions, and home intrusions. In a sense, abolishing the policy and allowing two children is still a violation of the people’s liberty, as they are still limited in their freedom to reproduce.
Individual Rights: Although the people of china have gained the right to have two children, they still are restricted by by the child laws, which is an infringement on the people’s rights. No other countries control the people’s reproduction like the Chinese.
Common Good: Ideally, abolishing the policy would benefit the general good of the people, as it is increases individual freedom and is intended to decrease the generation gap between elders, which would allow for more elders to be taken care of. However, it ultimately may not, as many simply don’t have the economic and financial needs necessary to raise two children.
Bias
The author uses harsh word choice when describing the actions of the Chinese government: “brutal intrusions involved, including forced abortions and crippling fines,” which could reveal his unfavorable opinion of the communist regime.
Visual:
Isabelle Christie and Jackson Clarke
