TY - JOUR
T1 - Losing an only child
T2 - The one-child policy and elderly care in China
AU - Song, Yu
PY - 2014/6
Y1 - 2014/6
N2 - China has had the one-child policy for more than 30 years. It reduced China's population growth within a short period of time and promoted economic development. However, it has also led to difficulties, and this paper focuses on those which pertain to ageing and losing one's only child. Approximately one million families have lost their only child in China. They suffer mentally and physically, and sometimes face social stigma and economic loss. What worries them most, however, is elderly care, which has become a severe crisis for the families who have lost their only children. This article draws upon several qualitative studies and 12 cases reported by the Chinese media in 2012 and 2013, and existing laws and policies for supporting those who have lost only children. It also analyses the current elderly care situation facing these families. The Chinese government has recognized the predicament and provides some help, which is increasing but is still not always adequate. To both sustain China's economic development and limit population growth, it is essential for the government to reform the one-child policy and provide a comprehensive support system for the families who have lost their only children, including financial relief and elderly care, and work to reduce stigma against these families.
AB - China has had the one-child policy for more than 30 years. It reduced China's population growth within a short period of time and promoted economic development. However, it has also led to difficulties, and this paper focuses on those which pertain to ageing and losing one's only child. Approximately one million families have lost their only child in China. They suffer mentally and physically, and sometimes face social stigma and economic loss. What worries them most, however, is elderly care, which has become a severe crisis for the families who have lost their only children. This article draws upon several qualitative studies and 12 cases reported by the Chinese media in 2012 and 2013, and existing laws and policies for supporting those who have lost only children. It also analyses the current elderly care situation facing these families. The Chinese government has recognized the predicament and provides some help, which is increasing but is still not always adequate. To both sustain China's economic development and limit population growth, it is essential for the government to reform the one-child policy and provide a comprehensive support system for the families who have lost their only children, including financial relief and elderly care, and work to reduce stigma against these families.
KW - Child loss
KW - China
KW - Elderly care
KW - Medical care
KW - One-child policy
KW - Pensions
KW - Social security and benefits
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901806571&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0968-8080(14)43755-8
DO - 10.1016/S0968-8080(14)43755-8
M3 - Article
SN - 0968-8080
VL - 22
SP - 113
EP - 124
JO - Reproductive Health Matters
JF - Reproductive Health Matters
IS - 43
ER -