Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-2-2021
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Public Policy Leadership
First Advisor
Weixing (Mark) Chen
Second Advisor
Joshua Howard
Third Advisor
Fei Lan
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This thesis examines the impact of China’s family planning policies on women’s attitudes towards family culture and the implications on China today. The family planning policies began in the 1970s as an emergency measure intended to create a short-term voluntary small-family culture by decreasing fertility rates. My research, comprised primarily of primary and secondary qualitative sources, discusses the development and implementation of the policies, the economic reforms beginning in the 1980s, and their joint effects on fertility rates, sex ratio at birth, women’s liberation, and changes in family culture, particularly in rural areas. This study found that the family planning policies and economic changes exacerbated the decline in fertility rates and accelerated the change in cultural beliefs about the family and the role of women in society, resulting in continued low fertility rates and the acceptance of the small-family culture in both rural and urban areas. The lasting effects of these changes are threatening China’s socioeconomic future, thereby requiring action from the government. While it remains to be seen which policies the government will choose to pursue, it must consider the long-term effects and address not only the exceptionally low fertility rates, but also the problems arising from them, for instance, the 4:2:1 problem, leftover men, and the sex ratio imbalance.
Recommended Citation
Croft, Sarah Ansley, "Small-Family Mindset: An Analysis of the Impact of China's Family Planning Policies on Family Culture" (2021). Honors Theses. 1707.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1707
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