is it true that china will be facing major gender imbalance issues soon?
By usersignup
@usersignup (93)
India
January 14, 2007 1:24am CST
according to a recent report, there will be 30 million surplus men in china in about 15 years from now.. the reasons that have been given for this are twofold: (a) strict one-child policy (b) abortion of female foetuses because of preference of male baby
what do you think of the situation? how can it be countered? can it be countered in the first place? how can the government help?
3 responses
@Lemongrass18 (313)
• Singapore
14 Jan 07
The myth of sons being the decendants will never changed with the Chinese. Yes, in the years to come China will face the crisis of having more males versus females. However, I think the government would be sensible enough to reverse the one-child policy in maybe 10 years from now.
@usersignup (93)
• India
14 Jan 07
even with reversal, however, there is no telling whether people will yield to social presssure or not, and still prefer a male child over the female
thanks for your response
@theproperator (2429)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I was watching a PBS show on this the other night. From that, I understand that under the one-child policy, couples who have a girl first are allowed a second chance to have a boy, which would be "better able" to support the parents when they are old (this rule may only apply in rural areas, I tuned in at the middle of the show); and if the second child is also female, they are not allowed another chance. IF a boy is born first, the couple is not allowed any more children.
If the government were to give financial bonuses to the parents for having girls, perhaps in two payments - one when the child is born and one when she completes school (to encourage education among women and, in turn, increase their ability to support themselves and parents) that might help stem the number of abortions.
