Starting in Shanghai, the Chinese government is now encouraging couples who have no siblings to have two kids. After 30 years of enforcing the one-child policy, the government is now coming to terms with increasing social pressures–the rapidly growing elderly population, shrinking workforce and forced abortions.
The one-child rule has always been lenient on minorities and qualified rural residents. But, until recently, urban residents have been subjected to strict family planning laws. Shanghai’s city officials will start visiting homes, slipping leaflets under doors and “offering emotional counseling and financial incentives,” the New York Times said.
When I lived in Shanghai for a year, I did an in-depth sociology project on the local views of the country’s family planning policies. My interviews with both rural and urban residents revealed a general consensus that while population control was important, the financial strain of supporting both one’s grandparents and parents was often overwhelming. Looks like the government is finally responding to the concerns voiced to me during my study.
Suzie
(Thanks Emily for referring me to this link)
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