Chinese Birth Control Policy and Gender Discrimination - Research Paper Example

Chinese Birth Control Policy and Gender Discrimination Introduction One of the key controversial debates in the Chinese government is to establish whether or not the government should regulate population control, and China’s One-Child Policies. One-Child policy has been a controversial state issue over the last thirty years. Chinese legislatures have shown that this policy has been of significance in controlling China’s population, which was growing at an alarming rate over the past decades. They have indicated that One-Child policy has prevented over 250 million births between 1979 and 2000 (Goh 12). On the other hand, opponents of this policy have criticized the legislatures claim, and they argue that this policy had violated human rights especially when married couples are forced to an perform abortion or forced to use birth control methods. Additionally, in its approach towards population control, Chinese government has been established to discriminate against women. For instance, a report released by a United Nations Agency indicated that nobody in China reports cases of sex selective abortions, prohibition of infanticide and abandonment of female infants (Goh 15). In the current world, China has the highest population of over 1.2 billion, or 20 percent of the world’s population (Goh 57). However, the ratio between male and female is 120 males to 100 female (Goh 57). As the Chinese population control remains a significant issue in the Chinese government, the search for demographic goals has overshadowed the needs and interests of women and girls. This has led to serious discrimination against women in offices, abuse by officials and civil servants, and use of physical violence against women (Thoma 24). For instance, in many Chinese communities, women and girls are forced to be sterilized or use contraceptives, as a birth control method. Additionally, accidental pregnancies are usually terminated, and “out-of-plan child” one parent, who is usually the mother, must be sterilized. This paper thematically, reviews and provides an analysis about Chinese Birth Control Policy and gender discrimination. Chinese Birth Control Policy Background Information History China’s Communist Party has been credited for a number of significant achievements such as its international influence, huge and powerful military, its role in the free-market capitalism, and its growing prosperity. However, the issue of “One-Child policy”, which it introduced in the last three decades, still remains as a controversial issue, in the Chinese government. Communist Party officials insisted that they had to check population growth rate, and reduce the population to 1.2 billion by the year 2000 (Thoma 9). In 1980, the party officials also announced that several couples will not be allowed to have more than one child, with the exception of some few individuals. Earlier in 1949, after decades of war, unrest and epidemics, which were perceived as economic boom, Mao Zedong claimed “Even if China’s population multiplies many times, she is fully capable of finding a solution; the solution is production” (Thoma 43). Mao’s main motive was that a larger population was a necessity for a modern industrialized state. After some years of economic growth and prosperity, Chinese legislatures realized that the growing population was almost overtaking the country’s food supply. In 1955, several political leaders, led by Deng, reversed Mao’s claim, and vigorously campaigned to promote birth control. In 1962, a massive famine hit China, and over 30 million people were pronounced dead. This made political leaders to intense their campaign for population control, and between 1970 and 1976, the China’s population had dropped by half the initial population (Thoma 56). China’s “One-Child” Policy In the aftermath, a policy that required married couples, especially from Han community, to give birth to one child was introduced. This policy, however, exempted ethnic minorities. Under the provisions of this policy, a couple can be charged a fine of over thousands dollars of illegally bearing a second child (Goh 49). This policy also offers longer maternity leave for couples who accept to delay child bearing. Since its formulation, in 1969, China’s “One-Child” policy has prevented more than 250 million births, saving the nation from an overgrowing population, which would have been difficult to accommodate. However, in spite of the policy’s contributions towards economic growth, the opponents of this policy noted that it has a significant negative impact on the social affairs, especially sex discrimination (Goh 56). Additionally, this policy has been blamed for gender discrimination. For instance, boys were culturally preferred than girls, and this is what led to the origin of female infanticide, in the 1940’s. Statistics have also indicated that there is a shortage of youth labor, and this problem will continue for some time if the population control policies are not reviewed (Goh 71). Effects of Abortion and Sterilization on Chinese Women Forced abortion and sterilization have both long term and short time effects on women and girls. Women who undergo abortion are at high risk of developing breast cancer and its health-related conditions. Termination of pregnancy through abortion leads to a significant decrease in the level of estrogen, which in turn, causes a rapid growth of cells in the breast cells (Thoma 246). Increased growth of cells, in the breast tissues, is what causes breast cancer. In other cases, abortion can sometimes leads to secondary infertility. This is usually caused by the infection of the fallopian tubes. This is normally referred to as salpingitis (Thoma 246). This infection has a negative effect on the future pregnancies. Sterilization, on the other hand, causes menstrual disturbances and increased risk for gynecological disorder (Thoma 248). Other medical studies have indicated that tubal ligation occurs as a result of post-tubal ligation syndrome that also results from sterilization. Other than physical side effects, both abortion and sterilization also affect women mentally. One of the significant causes is the feeling of guilt and shame. A study showed that over 50 percent of Chinese women, who have had abortion felt that they did something unethical (Ozbilgin & Syed 54). This indicates that they do not prefer doing abortion. Additionally, women who undergo abortion or sterilization process usually suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of its side effect is depression, thoughts of suicide and self-care activities, increased involvement in dangerous activities, difficulty sleeping, eating disorder, abusive parenting, codependency, eating disorder, and the inability to perform basic self-care activities (Ozbilgin & Syed 56). Another significant effect is sexual dysfunction. Gender studies on Chinese women have indicated that over 24 percent of women, who are sterilized or performed abortion, reported problems of sexual dysfunction (Goh 71). All these facts indicate that many women suffer psychological disorders after sterilization or abortion process. China’s “One-Child” Policy and Gender Discrimination Most of the Chinese families prefer having boy child to the girl child. The nations “One-Child” policy has created a system where most families go for family planning methods that would see them have a boy child. The preference of boys to girls, in Chinese families, is an issue that has been practiced since the olden times, and it is imbedded, in the Chinese social life and customs (Ozbilgin & Syed 143). Chinese women and girls have been regarded as the weaker sex, and they are inferior to their male counter parts. Girls were required to stay at home until they are seventeen, and they were regarded as liabilities, in their families. When they grow up, they were forcefully taken to their husbands homes, after which her own family had no authority over her. This makes her loses her identity and touch with her own family, and become part of her husband’s family (Goh 102). Gender discrimination, in Chinese communities, has been practiced for long up-to-date, and it has generated a feeling that women are liabilities, in the community. Infant deaths have significantly increased in Chinese communities, especially the girls, since the introduction of the “One-child” policy. The law only allows one child per family. Therefore, whenever a couple give birth to a girl, bearing in mind that they will not have a boy child, secretly kills the baby in order to get another chance of getting a baby boy. Chinese Gender Difference Issue In China, gender difference issue is evident in the male and female characteristics of the yin or yang Taoist symbol (Lee 23). The light swirl within the symbol is aggressive and active representing male yang while the dark is passive representing female yin. Since the traditional times, Chinese communities have favored boys more than girls both socially and economically. The rights and plights of women had been ignored, especially during Cultural Revolution, when class war and equity between sexes took center stage (Granrose 35). During China’s Cultural Revolution, Chinese communities negated and promoted new roles for women. Additionally, women were encouraged to return to their domestic jobs while their male counterparts were being recruited to work in the industries and farms, during the industrial revolution (Granrose 37). Male dominated societies are still evident in the contemporary Chinese communities. For instance, Proponents of “One-Child” policy have argued that women should be pressurized to have only one male baby, and they should not have the freedom to make decisions over this issue. This is the reason why are normally forced to conduct abortion, or the baby killed when she is a girl. However, a great revolution in gender equality is yet to be witnessed, in China as women are currently joining their male counterparts, in the nations’ development issues. Additionally, gender equality proponents are advocating for the females’ right to have decisions on the children they wish to bear. Some other reasons why the Chinese culture favors boys than girls are because men are the major source of labor and decision makers. Additionally, boys will live with their families, and take care of their parents when they grow old (Lee 151). They will also ensure the continuity of their communities. Girls, on the other hand, are considered as members of their husband’s families. They should not be engaged in decision making processes. Gender studies have also indicated that the “One-Child” policy has significantly promoted gender discrimination, in China (Granrose 35). For instance, there are several actions that have been taken in order to have boy children. Some communities have supported aborting and killing of female babies to pave the way for the boy child. Females have also been encouraged to go for family planning methods of getting boys. Chinese pregnant women must go for B-ultrasonic wave to identify the infant’s gender before giving birth. If the infant’s gender is female, they are usually aborted. Additionally, Chinese men are encouraged to divorce and marry another wife if the present wife does not give birth to boys. In most Chinese communities, families who do not have boy children are usually disowned, and the wives desolated (Ozbilgin & Syed 183). Negative Effects of Unbalanced Sex Ratio One of the most significant agendas for the millennium development goals is gender equality. Experts believe that communities, which still regard women as the weaker sexes, will be left behind in terms of political, social, and economic developments (Granrose 107). Unbalanced sex ration results into unfairness in the distribution of national resources, job opportunities, and government services. It also promotes the traditional notion that men are superior to women and that women should perform weak roles, in social life; they thus cannot perform difficult tasks. Solutions Chinese birth control policy should be perceived as an “imperfect law”, in the contemporary society. This is because the law promotes sterilization of women and abortion of female infants. This is the reason why these services are common, cheap and painless, in China. In order to combat these social problems, the Chinese government needs to loosen this policy so that couples can decide to bear any child they want. The government also needs to improve educational and medical facilities to ensure that both boys and girls achieve their dreams. The government also needs to change the law about sterilization and abortion (Granrose 179). Gender discrimination promotes the traditional notion that men are superior to women. The Chinese government can encounter this problem by introducing a rational gender opinion of the contemporary society. Other policies that prevent B-ultrasonic wave test to identify the sex identity of an infant before birth should be introduced. This will reduce the abortion of the female infants. The government should also place tough rules and regulations to prevent the abandoning and killing of babies, and enforce better family planning methods. Conclusion and Development In The Future Although China had been recognized for a significant prosperity in terms of political, social, and economic differences, the issues of “One-Child” policy and gender discrimination still remain as unresolved issues. Chinese women have been discriminated against since the traditional times, with the main reason being that they are weaker sexes who are associated with their husbands’ families. Men, on the other hand, are regarded as the caretakers of their families, and they are known to ensure the prosperity of their communities and families. In the modern world, gender equality has been listed as one of the significant factors in achieving the millennium development goals. The Chinese government, therefore, needs to review its birth control policies, especially “One-Child” policy, and address gender discrimination issues. “One-Child” policy is one of the factors that promote gender discrimination against women. Therefore, reviewing this policy will promote gender equality, which will in turn leads to fair distribution of government resources and services for all Chinese citizens. Works Cited Goh, Esther. China's One-Child Policy and Multiple Caregiving: Raising Little Suns. New York: Taylor & Francis Group, 2011. Print. Granrose, Cherlyn S. Employment of Women in Chinese Culture: Half the Sky. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005. Print. Lee, W. L. Gender and Change in Hong Kong: Globalization, Post Colonialism, and Chinese Patriarchy. New York: UBC Press, 2003. Print. Ozbilgin M. F. and Jawad Syed. Managing Gender Diversity in Asia: A Research Companion. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2009. Print. Scharping, Thomas. Birth Control in China, 1949-2000: Population Policy and Demographic Development. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003. Print. Read More