More Than One Child In One Family - Essay Example

More Than One Child In One Family Introduction China is the most populated country in the world with total population of over one billion. The rapid increase in the population growth rates as well as the economic conditions of the country in past forced government to impose the policy of having one child in the family. This was intentionally done in order to ensure that population growth rates are reduced and the overall population is also controlled. It is believed that the implementation of this policy 30 years ago resulted into the decline of population by almost 400 millions thus allowing China to control its population. It is however, important to note that China has made great economic progress during recent times and is the fastest growing country in the world. Such economic progress however, has not been completely able to eradicate poverty from the country due to highest population. The overall purpose of this policy therefore was to alleviate the social and economic problems of the country so that overall life standard can be improved. The rapid economic progress and the resulting ageing population of the country however, require new blood to carry on the task of economic progress. The one child policy therefore resulting into critical shortage of the manpower required for the industrial progress of the country. Further, overall standard of life is improving in the country therefore allowing families to have more than one child would not significantly deter the social and economic status of the individuals. These arguments therefore put question mark over the continuation of this policy. This argumentative paper will therefore argue as to whether China should allow to have more than one child in the family. One Child Policy of China During 1978, China, in order to reduce the in order to improve the social and economic life standards of the people, imposed the policy of having only child in the family. This was initially applicable on the new born children however its scope was subsequently enhanced. Source: http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/onechild.htm In order to implement the policy, government ensured that families especially in urban areas do not have more than one child. Further, a fee was applied to the families who have more than one child in order to penalize the families for having more than one kid in the family. The intended aims of this policy were to improve the healthcare services for the society so that better care and services could be provided. Further, in order to enforce the improvements in the saving rates, government considered the reduction of the size of the family. In actuality, Chinese economy as a whole has been able to register higher saving rates since the policy was implemented in 1978. (Naughton, 2007) Probably the most important policy reason behind the implementation of this policy was to achieve the economic growth and relieve pressure on the resources of the country. By reducing the size of the population, the overall wealth distribution could have been better allocated in order to achieve better economic progress. (Feng Wang, 2010) Should this policy continue? Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/08/china-relaxing-one-child-policy China during recent times has made enormous economic progress with significant average economic growth. China has achieved the same in its manufacturing sector by providing cheap manufacturing facilities to the customers around the world. Further, China is the leading exporter also thus relying mostly on its labor force as vital for the economic progress. However, the overall process of manufacturing requires young and skilled labor force which can endure the physical strain spent in the manufacturing process. What is critical however is the fact that China’s population is ageing fast and due to the one child policy, it is fast approaching a position where it may not have adequate young population to support its economic progress through manufacturing activities? (Hille, 2011) A recent announcement in China showed that the overall increase in the population over 60 has been around 48 million suggesting that more population is crossing the superannuation age thus creating a shortage of skilled and able labor. (Hille, 2011) It is also important to note that higher portion of elder population will have to be supported by the taxes paid by very few young people. This will invariably increase the overall burden on the working class to ensure that government generate enough revenue from them through taxation to provide social security services to the older population. Since China is a socialist country therefore its government has the responsibility to ensure allocation of resources in the society. A balanced population mix therefore could only allow the government to appropriate its revenue accordingly in justifiable manner. It is also important to note that the implementation of one child policy is only strictly enforceable in the urban areas of China. In rural areas, people tend to have larger families and they openly defy the government initiatives. It is also critical to note that those families who have females as their first child are already exempt from this policy. (Branigan, 2011). This therefore suggests that China has not been able to fully implement its policy in its true letter and spirit. More than one child in a family Source: http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0924_china_one_child_policy_wang.aspx The failure to implement the policy fully in the past as well as need to have balanced population mix requires that China should lift one child policy. It will not only allow it to have access to young and able labor force but will also lessen the burden on the State to feed the elderly and provide more health care services to the old age citizens. It is however, critical to understand that China is already a heavily populated country and an increase in its population growth rates therefore may not allow it to transform the benefits of its economic progress fully to its population. Conclusion The economic progress made by China requires that the country should have access to the young and able work force. In order to fully enjoy the economic benefits it is critical that China should lift one child in one family policy so that it can have access to the indigenous workforce. Bibliography Branigan, T. (2011, March 08). China considers relaxing one-child policy. Retrieved May 03, 2011, from Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/08/china-relaxing-one-child-policy Feng Wang. (2010, September 24). China’s One Child Policy at 30. Retrieved May 03, 2011, from Brookings: http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0924_china_one_child_policy_wang.aspx Hille, K. (2011, April 28). China faces pressure to alter one-child policy. Retrieved May 03, 2011, from Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4091f72a-7177-11e0-9b7a-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1LGzY9N1d Naughton, B. (2007). The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. Read More