In industrial settings, people worked for the government and many of these checks were carried out there, most women will sign a “contract” stating that they will not have another child and when a company has all their employers “signed up”, their workers would receive a bonus.
In the early stages of this policy, there were some forced abortions and sterilisation carried out by the government to those who did not conform to the policy and fined heavily of up to 10 times their annual earnings. But for those who did, they could indulge in the benefits of having only one child, for example: free education, “priority” university placements and jobs.
However there were some exceptions to the rules, Couples were allowed to have another child if the first one was severely handicapped, or somehow died. However, in rural places people could have a second child if the first one was the girl, however if it is a girl again they could not try again; in some areas, people were allowed a second child if they had paid a fee for an official allowance to do so.
3/How has the policy changed over time?
Over time the policy has changed to lighten the load on people wanting a second child, in rural areas they are now allowed 2 children so they can help doing the farm work needed for China’s economy. If two “one-child policy” persons were to marry they themselves could now have two children of their own. From the beginning of the 21st century, women now have access to knowledge of the different types of contraception available.
4/What is your view of the policy?
After researching this policy, I firmly believe that it is a necessity for the world population to slow down it’s rise before it gets too overcrowded, this policy should be implemented in most countries in the world(At a certain degree). I do not really agree with the argument that they are being forced against their own will, as they must know that it is for the good of their country’s economic stability. China’s preference to boys may have a possible effect on the male-female population structure by having more males it will make it more even as women live longer.
Sources: china.org.cn, overpopulation.com, guardian.co.uk