This seems like something the pro-lifers that picket our abortion clinics can really get behind. Help the women who would like to keep their babies and can't. That seems much more admirable than yelling at women who still have a choice and who are making the one that's right for them.
However, if those pro-lifers ever got their heads on straight and concentrated their efforts towards this goal, then would have to start calling myself a pro-lifer. And by the sheer freakiness of such an occurrence, I would get all discombobulated and the world would be topsy-turvy.
In reality, isn't the One Child Policy really a One Child Per Woman Policy? Men could conceivably go around fathering dozens of children, whilst women are limited to one. I am opposed to forced abortions. But since the world is extremely overpopulated, I think family planning should be promoted all over the globe, and contraception should be passed around like candy - to everyone. And abortion should be safe, legal, and readily available to any woman who wants one. I hope Obama repeals the Global Gag Rule, and soon.
Oy... I just got ranty with some ignorami yesterday about the difference between being pro-choice and "pro-abortion" and this is just bringing all that rage back.
@LadyFabulous: I love those people that think pro-choice = force everyone to have abortions and tell kids it's ok to have sex! Pro-choice is about having a CHOICE. You can choose NOT to have an abortion if you don't want to, but you have A CHOICE IN THE MATTER.
@Crabby Cakes wants some Dance Biscuits.: I think many of them get it just fine. They just want to tell you what to do. Simple. And they want to have the government legislate their point of view and call it democracy.
Can someone please enlighten me around how preventative birth control is used and/or accepted in China at large? Also, how Christian conversion in the last century has shifted ideologies around this, if at all?
@Vivien Smith-Smythe-Smith: That's right. Choice works both ways. The ability to choose to not put yourself through a pregnancy, and the equal ability to choose to carry a child to term without threat on your life or the life of your child.
Devil's Advocate: What's wrong with enforcing population control in a world where resources are stretched to the limit, and human beings are the main contributor to global warming?
That aside, forcing an abortion that late is all sorts of wrong sauce.
@CerebralMagpie: Providing developing nations with access to birth control is a much better method of population control than the government forcing couples to limit their number children. Especially when the children who are deemed more desirable are male children, causing a disgusting amount of selective female abortions in order to have your one allowed child be a male one.
@Archetype: I wonder if it's because if a man gets a divorce, he can go on to remarry and have another kid with that wife? I have no idea, but that was the first thing I thought of.
@Archetype: I really like this thinking because it shows the bias the is so prevalent in our global society (as well as our more specific western society). The generally accepted approach is almost always female-centric: birth control pills, abortions, etc. Why don't more people question why there are so many hormonal supplements for women to use as BC, and not a single one for men? There is a prevailing theme here, methinks...
@Crabby Cakes wants some Dance Biscuits.: I wonder what does happen if you've had a child and want to remarry. Does you next spouse have to give up his/her right to a child because you've already had your one??
@Archetype: But see, raising the youngun's is a job for the WIMMINS. It's THEIR uterus, their child. And what if the wimmin births a girl? Dear ol' dad is on his way to finding a new wife with a better boy-making uterus.
@JerseyGrrrl: Seriously, that's what I'm wondering too. Since they seem so male-centric, (wanting a baby boy and giving up the baby girls,) I wonder if it 'counts' that the man has a child once he leaves his wife. It SHOULD count, of course, but I wonder if it does?
@BrutallyHonestBabes: No, but men (in general) may care about having to pay child support. And hormone birth control for men does exist. It isn't on the market yet but it's been around for years. The only reason it isn't is because drug companies don't believe men are interested in it.
p.s. Why the hell do women in China try and have a second kid since there is forced abortion? Seriously, if it were me I'd have the doctor give me a tubal ligation as soon as my first and only kid came out. If China is so serious about the "one kid" rule you'd think they would perform sterilization on the parents as soon as #1 baby popped from the womb. Mandatory sterilization sounds a lot less traumatizing than a forced late-term abortion.
@BrutallyHonestBabes: not all men....I've dated (and am currently married) to no less than 4 men who all had vasectomies.
further playing Devil's Advocate....and DON'T attack me for asking (!!!) - why did this woman, who lives in a country with a very well-known one child law allow herself to get pregnant (her and her husband/the father) ???
@CerebralMagpie: Because, what would planet earth be if not a rotating mass of selfish decisions made daily? This issue gets me like no other. "I've decided to have 15 babies because they're so cuuuuute and cuuuuuddly and oh yeah can you support them with your tax dollar because golly gee, I'm a woman and it's my choice!! Fuck working together for change and the health of the planet, I want more baby wabies!!!" Grrrrrrr.
@curiousdruid: Also, I understand that this particular order is inhumane, and in no way do I condone the late term abortion. But it's also kind of like, yes we can initiate sex education and supplying birth control to underdeveloped nations, but the results may take a long time to reveal themselves. And we can't just self destruct until then. As long as we we continue overrun the earth so irreversibly, we have to make rules, at least for a short while.
@Athaliah: I think, (dontquotemeonthis) that in rural areas in China, and there are a lot of them, that if your first child is a girl, you are allowed to have a second. And, in certain circumstances, if you lose your child, you can have another - see: recent massive earthquakes with schools collapsing and shit. so, at least they've recognised that enforced sterilisation is worse than enforced abortions (from one point of view anyway)
its not a nice policy, but we had all better be thankful for it, the planet would be more screwed without it, and china would not be as advanced.
@curiousdruid: ha! months ago I would have posted a similiar response but having been prone to attacks....I take the more "diplomatic" approach these days
That said, I see nothing wrong with limiting a breeding couple to one child and think it should be done in all countries at this juncture; 6,737,589,162 population and counting.
But, it is human nature to be selfish and so, incidents like this happen when the woman knowing full well she could not have another child. Now, everyone is in an uproar when it was she who broke the law; she put herself in this position.
Even when there is access to birth control - births happen (though I am not ignoring that sex education and birth control access need some serious work)
@Jemae Hearts OBAMA '08: The Uyghur's are a minority group, and were traditionally immune from the one-child policy. They are the largest ethnic minority not to have autonomy, and China does not want to have to fight them if they decide to secede. My niece has been working in that province off and on since 2004, and the Olympics brought a massive change. The government did not want any protests from ethnic minorities. The Han (majority group) were moved in and put in charge of most of the industry, and the Uyghur's are facing unprecedented pressure to conform with China's policies. My niece knew of families with 5 and 7 children who formerly were not persecuted, but those days are over and people are being fined for decisions made years ago.
@CerebralMagpie: Because when people have access to decent health care, education e.t.c, birth rates tend to drop naturally, as they have across the Western world. Overpopulation is a symptom of deeper problems, not a sole cause.
As for resources being stretched to the limit, resources are abused to the limit, there's plenty enough to go round if people traded fairly.
But I guess that's too much like hard work isn't it?
What about all the enforced population control that used to be conducted on Aboriginal/ Native American women? Was that for the good of humanity too?
@Jemae Hearts OBAMA '08: Maybe it was an accident. Birth control isn't 100%, and I have a friend who was told by her Ob/gyn that she would never be able to conceive a child. She turned up preggo 2 months later the second she dropped her BC. Shit happens.
@Ayoshe: The One Child Policy does not apply to rural areas. Also, the parents may choose to not marry and thus have 2 children per household (one under the father's name and one under the mother's name). The policy really isn't really limiting to only one child.
And then here's my little tidbit:
The woman already has two children, does she really need three? With the world's population already not being environmentally sustainable I do not see the problem with limiting the amount of children a woman can have. She knew the law and she obviously understood it (she fled during her third pregnancy) so what difference does it make if in the eyes of the law she is a criminal. Criminals are prosecuted in the United States.
Fact is, our environment cannot sustain our level of increase in population. If she were to be able to keep her third child the Chinese population would no longer find it necessary to adhere to the One Child Policy and we could start seeing a surge in population in an area that already holds 1/5 of the world's population. So sorry, I don't think it is a matter of feminism. The government already let her have two children. Her case is can affect millions of Chinese women and the world cannot afford to see a surge in the Chinese population. I'm not even talking about economics or food supply, only the environmental impact her case can have. As you can see if we factor in economics and food supply we'll see that in her case she shouldn't be allowed to continue with her pregnancy. It's not about feminism or ethics, the government never said she cannot have any children at all.
If China did not enforce this policy, the world would see a breeding ground for infectious disease. Little space and a large population is a prime breeding ground. China would have to spend more money on public health, schooling, public transportation (roads, etc), housing, energy, etc. to be a first world country. Frankly, with the size of the population now, if there was no One Child Policy we would see China as a 2nd or third tier country.
Oh, and btw I identify myself as feminist and Chinese American. Does that change your thoughts?
@lickittysplitz: The mother has a rural permit, which entitles her to three children. The problem is her husband doesn't have a rural permit, which is why the Chinese are going after them. Even if the pregnancy was planned, I don't think she knew this was going to happen.
The whole overpopulation argument rings false to me. As another poster mentioned, when people have access to health care, contraception and education, fertility naturally comes down to replacement level or lower. Fertility rates have dropped globally in the last 50 years. Many Western countries are well below replacement level and those countries will need immigrants in the coming years so that someone can keep the trains running.
I am really surprised to see so many people who are pro-forced family planning. Reproduction is a personal decision. I don't want the goverment deciding how many children I am permitted to have, just like I don't want the goverment forcing be to bring a pregnancy to term. I'd apprecaite it if everyone could keep their laws off my uterus.
@missbitchy: then she could have had an early term abortion so....further question (though I'm too late in the topic at this point) is why the long wait which is now causing headlines>?
11/18/08
However, if those pro-lifers ever got their heads on straight and concentrated their efforts towards this goal, then would have to start calling myself a pro-lifer. And by the sheer freakiness of such an occurrence, I would get all discombobulated and the world would be topsy-turvy.
11/17/08
Everyone is all about 'Free Tibet' but they forget their neighbors to the north
11/17/08
11/17/08
I am opposed to forced abortions. But since the world is extremely overpopulated, I think family planning should be promoted all over the globe, and contraception should be passed around like candy - to everyone. And abortion should be safe, legal, and readily available to any woman who wants one.
I hope Obama repeals the Global Gag Rule, and soon.
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
Ugh, people make me angry.
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
"Supporters are concerned a forced abortion at such a late stage could threaten Arzigul's health."
That's the concern? THAT? Her health is incredibly important but let's focus on the part where she shouldn't be FORCED to have an abortion.
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
(Total sarcasm in case anyone didn't realize.)
11/17/08
11/17/08
That aside, forcing an abortion that late is all sorts of wrong sauce.
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
There are a lot more nuanced factors involved in populations dynamics than simply eliminating reproductive freedom would address.
11/17/08
But I'm not thinking China's too keen on them leaving the country.
11/17/08
This is why we need global sex education. This is why we need birth control as much as we need clean water.
11/17/08
11/17/08
See?? Logic!
11/17/08
@Crabby Cakes wants some Dance Biscuits.: I wonder what does happen if you've had a child and want to remarry. Does you next spouse have to give up his/her right to a child because you've already had your one??
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
11/17/08
p.s. Why the hell do women in China try and have a second kid since there is forced abortion? Seriously, if it were me I'd have the doctor give me a tubal ligation as soon as my first and only kid came out. If China is so serious about the "one kid" rule you'd think they would perform sterilization on the parents as soon as #1 baby popped from the womb. Mandatory sterilization sounds a lot less traumatizing than a forced late-term abortion.
11/17/08
further playing Devil's Advocate....and DON'T attack me for asking (!!!) - why did this woman, who lives in a country with a very well-known one child law allow herself to get pregnant (her and her husband/the father) ???
duh ?
11/17/08
11/17/08
I know a few things about addressing population control but would like to hear your "take" : )
11/17/08
11/17/08
its not a nice policy, but we had all better be thankful for it, the planet would be more screwed without it, and china would not be as advanced.
11/17/08
That said, I see nothing wrong with limiting a breeding couple to one child and think it should be done in all countries at this juncture; 6,737,589,162 population and counting.
But, it is human nature to be selfish and so, incidents like this happen when the woman knowing full well she could not have another child. Now, everyone is in an uproar when it was she who broke the law; she put herself in this position.
Even when there is access to birth control - births happen (though I am not ignoring that sex education and birth control access need some serious work)
11/17/08
11/17/08
As for resources being stretched to the limit, resources are abused to the limit, there's plenty enough to go round if people traded fairly.
But I guess that's too much like hard work isn't it?
What about all the enforced population control that used to be conducted on Aboriginal/ Native American women? Was that for the good of humanity too?
11/17/08
What you are saying is absolutely evil and I can't believe more people aren't calling you out on it.
11/17/08
11/18/08
And then here's my little tidbit:
The woman already has two children, does she really need three? With the world's population already not being environmentally sustainable I do not see the problem with limiting the amount of children a woman can have. She knew the law and she obviously understood it (she fled during her third pregnancy) so what difference does it make if in the eyes of the law she is a criminal. Criminals are prosecuted in the United States.
Fact is, our environment cannot sustain our level of increase in population. If she were to be able to keep her third child the Chinese population would no longer find it necessary to adhere to the One Child Policy and we could start seeing a surge in population in an area that already holds 1/5 of the world's population. So sorry, I don't think it is a matter of feminism. The government already let her have two children. Her case is can affect millions of Chinese women and the world cannot afford to see a surge in the Chinese population. I'm not even talking about economics or food supply, only the environmental impact her case can have. As you can see if we factor in economics and food supply we'll see that in her case she shouldn't be allowed to continue with her pregnancy. It's not about feminism or ethics, the government never said she cannot have any children at all.
If China did not enforce this policy, the world would see a breeding ground for infectious disease. Little space and a large population is a prime breeding ground. China would have to spend more money on public health, schooling, public transportation (roads, etc), housing, energy, etc. to be a first world country. Frankly, with the size of the population now, if there was no One Child Policy we would see China as a 2nd or third tier country.
Oh, and btw I identify myself as feminist and Chinese American. Does that change your thoughts?
11/18/08
The whole overpopulation argument rings false to me. As another poster mentioned, when people have access to health care, contraception and education, fertility naturally comes down to replacement level or lower. Fertility rates have dropped globally in the last 50 years. Many Western countries are well below replacement level and those countries will need immigrants in the coming years so that someone can keep the trains running.
I am really surprised to see so many people who are pro-forced family planning. Reproduction is a personal decision. I don't want the goverment deciding how many children I am permitted to have, just like I don't want the goverment forcing be to bring a pregnancy to term. I'd apprecaite it if everyone could keep their laws off my uterus.
11/18/08
11/17/08