[Ashley Mesko]

Much of the information on contemporary China was new to me. What I found most fascinating was the birth policy enacted by China’s Communist Party. The details of the extreme population planning initiative were not only shocking but far more restrictive than I had previously thought.

 

For more than three decades, the strict birthing policy allowed families only one child. In theory, the state-mandated policy should have been an effective solution to the runaway population growth created by the push to increase population in 1949. But, instead of solving the population crisis, it created new sets of issues. China now had an unblanced sex ration, with the boys outnumbering the girls.  Until the 60’s, the Chinese government encouraged families to have as many children as possible believing that population growth would increase the power of the country. By 1976, China’s population was close to 940 million people. With the country facing possible overpopulation, the one-child policy was introduced in 1979 and those who did not follow the law were faced with fines, sterilization forced abortions, and harassment from authorities. The policy was enforced at the provincial level and most strictly enforced in densely populated urban areas. The policy was reformed in 1980 to allow for some couples to apply to have a second child but according to the article written by Aileen Clark, many couples chose not to apply for a second child due to new economic and social pressures to succeed.

 

It's a political strategy. Overpopulation, resource and food shortages lead to dissent and revolution. They threaten the security of the status quo. It threatens the Party.

 

It is also a humane decision. I believe that many of China's leaders do care deeply about the comfort and security of the people of China. There has been so much suffering already. The dislocations, disruptions, and chaos of the Japanese invasion left tens of millions to die of disease and starvation. The memories from that period of time remain strong. I think there are also many regrets about the chaotic effects of the Cultural Revolution.

 

There is some truly grown up and rational thinking behind the one-child policy, unlike the breed until you starve for the glory of God policy. There are many other countries that could benefit from same. The health of the planet and the better secured future of the human race might be at stake.

 

There are however, some weak points in the one-child policy, such as in low tech agriculture, where growers of essential foodstuffs need many family hands to run a successful and productive operation, yet they are fined heavily for each extra, yet necessary pair of hands they bring forth. In cases such as this, special dispensations might be warranted to encourage maximum output for the good of all.

 

[Ashley Mesko]

Hello Everyone,

I have been teaching MYP/IB English for 14 years in San Bernardino, California. I am delighted in the opportunity to learn more about contemporary China. I am eager to replace some of our districts current curriculum with that of different cultures. I hope to gain some new insight/ideas to take to the curriculum development meetings. We have a lack of cultural diversity in the literature that is chosen. Looking forward to learning more about China, the people, the culture, and working with all of you.

Cheers,

Ashley Mesko

[Author]

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