The NYTimes has a couple of articles recently about the One Child Policy, with the latest one titled “China Sticking with One Child Policy”. Stepping back a little, the modern day application of the One Child Policy is a bit lose. Most parents will comply and only have one child. But more and more, urban wealthier parents are having two kids, paying a penalty for violating the law. The penalty varies by cities/provinces, but I was told it is in the thousands (usd) range, which is increasingly affordable to middle class families. There are also a few exceptions to the rule: 1) if both parents are single child themselves, they can have two children, 2) children born outside of China fall into gray area, so theoretically if you study/live abroad, you can have as many children as you wish, and 3) if you live in rural areas and the first born is a girl, you can have another one. [Just things I hear on my travels, so don't take my word for it!]
Apart from the question on human rights, the One Child Policy has created a generation of little emperors who are not that little anymore. This generation is labeled “post-80″; referring to kids born after 1980. If you do the math, these “kids” can be 28 yrs old today. Generally, they are viewed as spoiled, irresponsible, and big-spenders. They don’t save, don’t work, and many live off their parents.
The One Child Policy might solve the over-population problem, but also created lasting social consequences which are equally worrysome.
