There is a new type of family taking hold in China: one that embraces the birth of girls. These families are foot soldiers in a desperate programme, called Care for Girls, to narrow China’s gaping sex ratio at birth, among the highest in the world at 120 boys for every 100 girls, says Science Magazine.
In 1980, China, concerned about a population explosion, adopted a one-child policy – and enforced it through compulsory sterilisations and abortions. The policy clashed with the country’s patrilineal tradition so much so that many families went to great lengths to ensure that their sole child was a boy. As a result, mortality rates among girls ages 1-4 spiked, says Science.
Realising that reversing this trend would require a major cultural shift, researchers developed a framework that would make having girls economical and socially acceptable:
The results were promising, says Science:
Researchers concede that the programme’s short-term gains may be the result of a crackdown on sex selection, not deeper cultural change. But unborn girls get a boost from urbanisation; the flow of migrant workers to wealthy cities in eastern China raises women’s earning power and introduces new ideas to the countryside.
Source: Mara Hvistendahl, Making Every Baby Girl Count, Science, Vol. 323, February 27, 2009.
For text: http://sppa.xjtu.edu.cn/upload/pdf/141502.pdf
For more on International Issues: http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_Category=26
FMF Policy Bulletin/ 17 March 2009
