Recap of Population so far What does the term ‘sparsely’ mean? (1 mark) What does the term ‘densely’ mean? (1 mark) What factors make birth rates rise? (2 marks) What factors make birth rates drop? (2 marks) What factors make death rates rise? (2 marks) What factors make death rates drop? (2 marks) What is the Demographic Transition Model? (1 mark) At what stage is the birth rate higher than the death rate? (1 mark) At what stage is natural increase the biggest? (1 mark) What do population pyramids show? (1 marks) Describe the shape of a population pyramid for a MEDC. (2 marks) Describe the shape of a population pyramid for a LEDC. (2 marks) What are the 2 main sections of a population pyramid? (2 marks)

CHINA’S ONE CHILD POLICY

What does this picture represent?

What is it? China’s One Child was introduced by the Chinese government in 1979. It was to try and solve the problem of overpopulation. It’s main purpose was to make sure that China could support its large population with facilities such as healthcare, education, housing, good jobs and most importantly, food. The aim was to reduce poverty and to improve overall quality of life for the people.

Why only one? CHINA STATES THE BENEFITS ARE: You have more time to concentrate on that one child. You won’t be put under as much financial strain as you would be if you were to have more than one child. One child will not take up as much of your time as two or three will, so you will have more time to concentrate on your career. Your child is much more likely to become successful if you are able to spend more time supporting it. You will be able to offer your child a better quality of life if you are able to focus all of your attention on it, rather than numerous children.

How is the policy enforced? The Chinese government implemented ways in ensuring that it’s population stick to the rules they have been given. These rules include: Penalties given to anyone found breaking the policy. This may be given in money or could also be paid in livestock which is precious for families for food. Benefits such as rice rations are not given to families with more than one child. In some rural areas, peasants are encouraged to have more than one child to increase the amounts received from punishment fines. This money is then used to benefit the community and improve living conditions.

“IT’S A FAILURE!” GOVERNMENT’S OUT OF ORDER Children are becoming far too spoilt! Parents are treating their only children like royalty, and obese, demanding boys are being seen far too often now and they will have big problems when they reach their teens. I thought this policy was meant to improve living conditions! The One Child Policy is having negative effects on China’s population too. There will soon be, and already is a sign of an ageing population which will mean the government will have to put more money onto healthcare and pensions with fewer youngsters around to carry out the work. By the year 2025, the percentage of over 65s in China could reach 30% and instead of the traditional method of children caring for their elders, China’s elderly will have to be put into social retirement care as there won’t be enough youngsters to support them. FORGET BABY BOOM…WHAT ABOUT THIS BACHALOR BOOM This ridiculous attempt of a policy is seriously affecting China’s sex ratio. Since the 1980s, our ratio has become completely disfigured and the male to female ratio is now 116:100. So much for killing of baby girls and an increase in abortion rates. China could have completely devastated it’s future as there will soon be a shortage in the number of young fertile women and then there will be even fewer births. China is forcing young men to remain single, there to be an increase in prostitution and the status of women may well go down in an already overpowering male society. What a disaster!

These images show one horrific consequence of the one child policy - boy preference has meant that a significant number of baby girls have been abandoned or even killed (female infanticide).

This population pyramid presents the female minus the male population by age. In most age groups China has a larger male than female population - according to these raw census data. Particularly, in young age groups the "surplus" in male population is substantial. This well-known phenomenon of "missing girls" is due to the strong preference for male births in the Chinese and most other Asian societies. It is believed that only boys can later keep up the family tradition. Especially the farmers want to have at least one male child for taking over the family farm. China 1990

Today’s Task Thinking about what you’ve just seen and using pages 240/241 make notes on China’s One Child Policy. You must have: Why China needed a policy What are the incentives? What are the disincentives? Recent changes to the policy Also add anything else we have discussed you think is important. Complete the One Child Policy worksheet.

Homework Wednesday 25th April 1) Complete the One Child Policy factfile. You may need to do some further research! 2) Revise for the population end of unit test. Wednesday 25th April