Last Thursday on Oct. 29, China's Communist Party announced they had decided to abandon their one-child law after 36 years. This controversial policy strived to slow down the country's population from rapidly growing at a high rate. They feared population at that magnitude could jeopardize their economy.
The policy was first adopted in 1979 and was drastic decision that affected an intimate part of Chinese citizens' lives. Government officials endorsed the law, even forcing abortions, loss of employment, and crippling fines for those who violated it. It has been estimated that 400 million births were prevented due to the one-child policy.
Some restrictions were made in the previous years; in 2013, couples that had one spouse who was an only child were allowed to have two children.
The decision to eliminate the rule was to “increase labor supply and ease pressures from an aging population,” according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission (a group that enforces the policy) in a statement issued after the party meeting.
With families now given the option of having two children instead of one, it may be far from a baby boom in the next year or so. In comparison to then and now, the cost for a second child is astronomical. Also, it has become a social norm to have one child in society.
The party decisions will not go into effect immediately; it must first be endorsed and refined by the central government in order to be implemented. The estimation of the process is unclear, but could take many months.
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Twenty something years ago, a couple applied for adoption to travel to one of China’s overpopulated orphanages and receive a child. After months of paperwork and a 20-hour plane ride with 10 or so more couples, they finally reached their destination and received one baby girl…me.
Everything happens for a reason.
While the reasoning behind why I was put up for adoption may be unclear, I cannot help but imagine how my life and many others would have been affected if this policy were instated earlier.
However, I can imagine how all the present and future families will be impacted by this policy. This long-awaited change will bring so much joy and life to individuals. It will open new doors and create opportunities that could not have been born.
My mind can continue to wonder what if, but it can also appreciate what I am surrounded by… people, places, and opportunities who I would be lost without. While China abandon’s their policy, I’m adopting my own:
Be thankful, be loved, and accept that you cannot look back, but you can look forward.
To my amazing parents, unconditional love for you two.
