China and its people
China's population crisis
China has been facing a serious problem over the past decade or so. Due to the one-child policy instituted in the 1980's, China's population is projected to peak in 2020, then exponentially drop. The one-child policy was originally instated to control the population growth. With such a great population, China's government struggled to provide enough resources, especially if the country continued to grow at the same rate. China has been defined by its significant population, and is a source of national pride. The predicted drop in population has drawn great international attention, particularly by those in the business and trade sector. Fertility rates have dropped from 5.6 in the 1970's to 1.4, or even a predicted 1.2 births per female. The necessary fertility rate to maintain a stable population is approximately 2.1 births per female. Another concern is the decrease of females in the country. China's one-child policy has caused a disproportionate number of males to females at a ratio of 115.9 boys to 100 girls. The one-child policy has led to a preference for boys, particularly in rural populations, for several reasons. The most common of these being potentially financially supporting their parents, carrying on the family name, the ability to lead ancestor worship, and help with labor in rural areas. Abortion is legal in China, and many women turn to abortions if they find themselves with a girl. Portable ultrasound machines which were provided to rural areas due to the health care reform which allowed women to know the sex of their baby. This has led to an increase in abortions and infanticides. The decrease in women has led to increased human and sex trafficking. Young girls are kidnapped and smuggled across the Chinese boarder from as young as thirteen years old from neighboring countries such as Vietnam. Many are forced into marraiges through beatings, deprivation of food, and other such torturous methods. Other women are forced to become sex workers and work in brothels. Raids do occur in an effort to save these women; those who are not found, must find their own way home.
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Header image: "Mongo crowds to see the giant rubber duck" By: Florentijn Hofman CC-BY-SA
Slide 1: "Crazy crowds, Guangzhou train station" By: Tom Booth CC-BY-SA
Slide 2: "Shenzhen CBD and River" By: SSDPenguin CC-BY-3.0
Slide 4: "A photo Chinese grade 2 children in school uniforms" By: Greenhall1 CC-BY-SA-3.0
Slide 6: "One of my Chinese Language homework" By: Simon Shek CC-BY-2.0
Info graphic 1: "China's one-child policy" By: Nuno Luciano CC-BY-2.0
Slide 1: "Crazy crowds, Guangzhou train station" By: Tom Booth CC-BY-SA
Slide 2: "Shenzhen CBD and River" By: SSDPenguin CC-BY-3.0
Slide 4: "A photo Chinese grade 2 children in school uniforms" By: Greenhall1 CC-BY-SA-3.0
Slide 6: "One of my Chinese Language homework" By: Simon Shek CC-BY-2.0
Info graphic 1: "China's one-child policy" By: Nuno Luciano CC-BY-2.0