The Oswegonian

The Independent Student Newspaper of Oswego State

DATE

May. 1, 2024 

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Opinion

China ends one-child only policy

China can get ready to throw away the Trojans and throw on some Marvin Gaye, it was announced last Thursday that China would be putting an end to their one child per household limit and allow families to have two children.

The ban was initially created in the ‘80s after an increase in births around the nation following the famine that occurred in China in the late ‘50s. Due to the forced control on couples, the nation had to force people to be sterilized to prevent them from having more children. Some mothers were forced into having abortions.

However, as the times change, the population begins to change as well. China now is leading to a more gray age as the population of the elderly is beginning to increase. This change means there will be less people in the work force. This is one of the main factors that led to the policy change.

Some may question whether or not this is a good decision. China has the largest population in the world with 1.35 billion people. That is over one seventh of the world’s population. How many more people can be crammed into the country?

On top of that, the government is still regulating the amount of children people can have. What if a family wants to have five, or eight, or they want to keep going until they have a reality television show about their life that get cancelled after rampant allegations arise about one of their children? Can the government really try to control life?

These questions aside, this is the right choice. Although there are still limitations on the amount of children citizens can have, it’s a step in the right direction. Allowing people the choice gives them a power Chinese citizens didn’t have 30 years ago. The decision can mean the world to a family and provide a life that couldn’t be here before. The decision can bring people together in ways that families weren’t able to be.

Those who are opposed to the change should understand that people want what they want. There are still couples who will only have one child and others who will choose not to have any children. They have as much of a right to this choice as people have to want more than one child.

The people of China have been excited about the change. Many have commented about the policy change online, some joking about the idea of having more children, others happy for the option.

People should have the right to choose their fate. Limitations hinder the natural order and force people to conform to what they are not. Giving people the option is a good step. More can be done, but right now this can lead the country in a better direction.