Posted on 07/24/2009 12:38:02 PM PDT by GOPGuide
Shanghai authorities are urging eligible couples to have a second baby, after years of following a one-child policy, amid concerns about a lack of young workers to support its ageing population.
snip
The problem is particularly acute in Shanghai. Zhang said its fertility rate was 0.88 in 2008 far below the national average of around 1.8 and that which is needed simply to keep the population at the same level.
snip
Xia Xueluan, a professor of sociology at Peking University, said family planning had many advantages, but applauded the new policy. "They should have done this earlier, and it should be promoted all over the country, not just in Shanghai."
Resentment is often sparked by the variation in the policing of the rules rather than the law per se with many complaining that the rich are unaffected by fines that can cripple poorer households.
"I don't want a second child. One is enough, and I hope it is a girl, said expectant mother Yu Nan, 25. "It is very nice to be the only child; you don't need to share or grab things from others. You can have all your parents' attention. My parents have brothers and sisters, but when my grandparents died they quarrelled over the legacy. That was horrible and hurtful. Being the only child, you won't have those problems."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
We’ve been under One Child Rule since january 20, 2009.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.