Question

Given what we know about population growth, what do you think of China’s policy that limits the number of children a family can have? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? What other ways might a country of over 1.3 billion people manage its population?

Answer 1

China's one-child policy is a part of a birth planning program designed to control the size of its population. This is one of the most extreme example that country has undertaken to plan the population. There were however certain exceptions made here in case of minorities and if the first child was a daughter. This policy was finally eliminated by the end of 2015. Local and national governments created commissions to raise awareness and carry out registration and inspection work. China also rewards families with only one child. Effective from January 2016, the national birth planning policy became a universal two-child policy that allowed each couple to have two children.

Considering the population that China has this policy even though extreme has definitely helped in controlling the population. However while the implementation of this policy the government should ensure that there are no damages caused to the general public both physically and emotionally. Adequate support needed must be provided at all times, or implementing this policy at the cost of peoples health should be eliminated.

There are other ways as well that a country can use to control its population such as:

1. Delayed Marriages- There should be a strict restriction on child marriages and probably an appropriate marriage age should be set out by the government keeping in mind the ways population can be controlled.

2. Medical Facilities- Adequate medical facilities should be made available to ensure that the kids survive, people plan more kids in the fear that they would not survive.

3. Providing Incentives- Providing a health, educational or even financial incentive can be a highly effective population measure.

4. Spreading Awareness- People need to be told and made to understand the consequences of having too many children. Government and non-government institutions can carry awareness campaigns informing people of the consequences of having too may children.

5. Gender Discrimination- People need to be made aware that there is no difference between a boy and a girl child, Gender discrimination should be eradicated as soon as possible.