In the 1970s, China's population swelled due to improved health and food production and distribution. At that time, the average Chinese woman gave birth to 5.8 children. The burgeoning population and its industrial and agricultural development were eroding the nation's soils, depleting its water, leveling its forests, and polluting its air. The government instituted a population control program couched in the language of "patriotic duty" that precluded large numbers of Chinese couples from having more than one-child. A system of rewards, punishments, and social stigmas was used to enforce the one-child limit. The "success" of the program was facilitated by China's communist government. It is unlikely that a similar policy instituted in a democratic society would have been met with as much acceptance and compliance. The policy is controversial to Westerners because it puts limits on personal freedom. Why did China institute a population control policy? How is it enforced? Why is it controversial?

Why did China institute a population control policy?

"The burgeoning population and its industrial and agricultural development were eroding the nation's soils, depleting its water, leveling its forests, and polluting its air."

China implemented this policy because, as the quality of life in the nation improved, its population grew in a way that was unsustainable. This led to the depletion, pollution and overconsumption of its natural resources.

How is it enforced?

"A system of rewards, punishments, and social stigmas was used to enforce the one-child limit. The "success" of the program was facilitated by China's communist government."

This text tells us that such policy was enforced thanks to a combination of factors. First, the country was able to implement various types of rewards and punishments in order to keep people under control. Moreover, as this was labelled a "patriotic duty," people were more likely to see disobedience as negative, creating a social stigma. Finally, this was facilitated by the Chinese communist government.

Why is it controversial?

"The policy is controversial to Westerners because it puts limits on personal freedom."

This policy was controversial because it limits personal freedom. Most people around the world believe that every family has the right to decide the number of children that they want to have. Taking away this right can seem like an abuse by the government to them.

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