Little Emperors: Behavioral Impacts Of China's One-Child Pol

Little emperors: Behavioral impacts of China's one-child policy

CLEANED: This article investigated the effect of China’s one-child policy on different behaviors, comparing behavioral trends in people who were born in the years just before and just after the implementation of the one-child policy. One of the more notable results was that participants born under the one-child policy scored higher in neuroticism and lower in contentiousness in comparison with those born before the policy.

The study concluded that the observed behavioral differences between those born just before and just after the one-child policy would greatly magnify as time went on, due to very limited extended family and living in a world of predominantly only children. This article provides valuable insight into the behavioral changes of the average person in China as a result of the one-child policy. The authors were able to use data that was actively generated for this article, rather than piecing together already-existing data like many other studies on the subject, which was very refreshing to see. This article would provide a solid resource to use as it presents a very data-based approach to this aspect of the one-child policy.

Paper For Above instruction

The implementation of China’s one-child policy, introduced in 1979 and phased out in 2015, has had profound and multifaceted impacts on Chinese society. Among these, the behavioral and socio-psychological effects on individuals born during this period warrant significant scholarly attention, exemplified by research such as Cameron et al. (2013). This study, utilizing newly generated data, investigates the behavioral changes among individuals born just before and just after the policy's enforcement, with notable findings indicating increased neuroticism and decreased contentiousness among the one-child cohort compared to their predecessors.

The psychological profile of only children, as depicted in Cameron et al. (2013), underscores alterations in personality traits potentially attributable to the unique familial environment fostered by the policy. The absence of siblings limits social interactions with peers and reduces competitive conflicts within the family, which in turn could influence personality traits such as neuroticism—a tendency toward emotional instability—and contentiousness—a measure of persistence and organization. The longitudinal implications suggest that these behavioral tendencies could amplify over time as the social fabric becomes increasingly individualized, impacting community cohesion and social support networks.

Moreover, the societal implications of China’s one-child policy extend beyond behavioral traits into demographic shifts, as evidenced by Huang et al. (2016). Their analysis correlates the rise in reported twin births and the phenomenon of "fake twins" to the policy’s enforcement, illustrating the unintended consequences associated with its implementation and enforcement mechanisms. These phenomena hint at the pressures faced by families to circumvent restrictions, often leading to surreptitious births aimed at maintaining familial lineage or economic advantages.

Another significant consequence is the rising prevalence of childhood obesity among only children, as shown by Min et al. (2017). Their research indicates that children born under the one-child policy are markedly more likely to be overweight or obese compared to children with siblings. This trend is particularly pronounced in urban areas, attributed to lifestyle factors such as increased recreational screen time and decreased physical activity. The findings illustrate how demographic policies can indirectly influence health behaviors and outcomes, creating public health challenges that require targeted interventions.

Furthermore, the aging demographic caused by the policy has precipitated socio-ethical concerns regarding eldercare, as discussed by Nie (2016). The acceleration of China's aging population without commensurate policy adjustments has strained the traditional family-based eldercare system, leading to increased elderly suicides and social stigmatization. The erosion of community and familial support structures compels a reevaluation of governmental responsibilities and societal duties toward vulnerable populations.

Specifically addressing the emotional toll of the policy, Song (2014) highlights the plight of families who have lost their only children. Such cases exemplify the compounded distress of grief, social stigma, and insecurity about future care, emphasizing the need for policy reformsto support these vulnerable groups. As the demographic shifts continue, the psychological burden on aging individuals and the societal support structures to sustain them become critical issues.

In sum, the one-child policy’s impact on Chinese society is profound and multi-layered, influencing personality, health, demography, and socio-ethical dimensions. The integration of empirical research, as demonstrated by these scholarly works, provides essential insights into understanding and addressing the ongoing consequences of this historic policy. Policymakers and social stakeholders must consider these behavioral and demographic patterns to formulate effective strategies that promote social well-being and resilience in post-policy China.

References

• Cameron, L., Erkal, N., Gangadharan, L., & Meng, X. (2013). Little emperors: Behavioral impacts of China's one-child policy. Science, 339. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR34521.v1
• Huang, W., Lei, X., & Zhao, Y. (2016). One-child policy and the rise of man-made twins. Review of Economics and Statistics, 98(3). https://doi.org/10.1162/REST_a_00567
• Min, J., Xue, H., Wang, VHC., Li, M., & Wang, Y. (2017). Are single children likely to be more overweight or obese than those with siblings? The influence of China's one-child policy on childhood obesity. Preventive Medicine, 103, 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.07.018
• Nie, J. (2016). Erosion of eldercare in China: a socio-ethical inquiry in aging, elderly suicide and the government's responsibilities in the context of the one-child policy. Aging International, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12561-016-9154-8
• Song, Y. (2014). Losing an only child: The one-child policy and elderly care in China. Reproductive Health Matters, 22(43). https://doi.org/10.1016/S