Instituted in 1979 as a temporary measure to limit population growth, China’s one child policy remains in force today and is likely to continue for another decade. China’s population control policy has attracted criticism because of the manner in which it is enforced, and also because of its social repercussions. Supporters of the Chinese government’s policy consider it a necessary measure to curb extreme overpopulation, which has resulted in a reduction of an estimated 300 million people in its first twenty years. Not only is a reduced population environmentally beneficial, it also increases China’s per capita gross domestic product. The one-child policy has led to a disparate ratio of males to females – with abortion, abandonment and infanticide of female infants resulting from a cultural preference for sons. Furthermore, Draconian measures such as forced sterilization are strongly opposed by critics as a violation of human reproduction rights. The one-child policy is enforced strictly in urban areas, whereas in provincial regions fines are imposed on families with more than one child. There are also exceptions to the rules – for example, ethnic minorities. A rule also allows couples without siblings to have two children – a provision which applies to millions of sibling-free adults now of child-bearing age.

"The passage suggests that two-child families will dramatically increase, as sibling-free adults reach child-bearing age."

Instituted in 1979 as a temporary measure to limit population growth, China’s one child policy remains in force today and is likely to continue for another decade. China’s population control policy has attracted criticism because of the manner in which it is enforced, and also because of its social repercussions. Supporters of the Chinese government’s policy consider it a necessary measure to curb extreme overpopulation, which has resulted in a reduction of an estimated 300 million people in its first twenty years. Not only is a reduced population environmentally beneficial, it also increases China’s per capita gross domestic product. The one-child policy has led to a disparate ratio of males to females – with abortion, abandonment and infanticide of female infants resulting from a cultural preference for sons. Furthermore, Draconian measures such as forced sterilization are strongly opposed by critics as a violation of human reproduction rights. The one-child policy is enforced strictly in urban areas, whereas in provincial regions fines are imposed on families with more than one child. There are also exceptions to the rules – for example, ethnic minorities. A rule also allows couples without siblings to have two children – a provision which applies to millions of sibling-free adults now of child-bearing age.

"The main criticism of China’s one-child policy is that it violates human rights."

Instituted in 1979 as a temporary measure to limit population growth, China’s one child policy remains in force today and is likely to continue for another decade. China’s population control policy has attracted criticism because of the manner in which it is enforced, and also because of its social repercussions. Supporters of the Chinese government’s policy consider it a necessary measure to curb extreme overpopulation, which has resulted in a reduction of an estimated 300 million people in its first twenty years. Not only is a reduced population environmentally beneficial, it also increases China’s per capita gross domestic product. The one-child policy has led to a disparate ratio of males to females – with abortion, abandonment and infanticide of female infants resulting from a cultural preference for sons. Furthermore, Draconian measures such as forced sterilization are strongly opposed by critics as a violation of human reproduction rights. The one-child policy is enforced strictly in urban areas, whereas in provincial regions fines are imposed on families with more than one child. There are also exceptions to the rules – for example, ethnic minorities. A rule also allows couples without siblings to have two children – a provision which applies to millions of sibling-free adults now of child-bearing age.

"Families with more than one child are more common in China’s rural areas"

capital, arch, column

pine, fir, cypress

When the weather is icy and dry, that means __________ is here.

he lambs start ___________ when they are hungry.

The bear has just given birth to a ____________ of cubs.

Instituted in 1979 as a temporary measure to limit population growth, China’s one child policy remains in force today and is likely to continue for another decade. China’s population control policy has attracted criticism because of the manner in which it is enforced, and also because of its social repercussions. Supporters of the Chinese government’s policy consider it a necessary measure to curb extreme overpopulation, which has resulted in a reduction of an estimated 300 million people in its first twenty years. Not only is a reduced population environmentally beneficial, it also increases China’s per capita gross domestic product. The one-child policy has led to a disparate ratio of males to females – with abortion, abandonment and infanticide of female infants resulting from a cultural preference for sons. Furthermore, Draconian measures such as forced sterilization are strongly opposed by critics as a violation of human reproduction rights. The one-child policy is enforced strictly in urban areas, whereas in provincial regions fines are imposed on families with more than one child. There are also exceptions to the rules – for example, ethnic minorities. A rule also allows couples without siblings to have two children – a provision which applies to millions of sibling-free adults now of child-bearing age.

"The general preference among Chinese parents is for male babies."