One-Child Families in Urban Dalian: A Case Study of the Consequences of Current Family Planning Practices in China
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Date
2009-06
Authors
Hou, Xueyuan, 1983-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Implemented as one of the basic national polices of China since 1978, the one-child
policy has brought both advantages and disadvantages to one-child families in urban
China. This thesis explores the various consequences of current family planning practices
in urban Dalian. It explains the ways in which the implementation of the policy has
influenced urban one-child families' everyday life and how parents and single children
handle the policy. Urban parents have accepted the state requirement for limited births
and have adopted new child-rearing practices to raise their "only hope" in the changing
socioeconomic context. Single children receive comprehensive parental attention and
support and are widely considered as spoiled "little emperors/empresses". But at the same time they experience great pressure to perform with academic excellence in order to be
capable to excel in the competition of the global market economy. Gender norms are in
transition. Urban single daughters are empowered by the benefits brought by low fertility
produced by the policy. As the first generation of single children grows up, their families
are now confronted with the crucial issue of the "four-two-one" (four grandparents, two
parents, one child) problem, which impacts the future of the one-child policy.
Description
xi, 94 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.
Keywords
China -- Population policy -- Case studies, Child rearing -- China