Think of a world with no brothers, no sisters, no cousins, no aunts, and no uncles. That is the world of each child born into the Chinese One Child per Family Policy, established in 1979. The policy, designed to stop China’s rapid population growth, has included heavy fines, forced abortions, and sterilization for families who wanted more children

These only children don’t just think they are the center of the universe; they are – at least to their parents and grandparents. Their health, education, safety, and happiness are of primary concern to the adults around them. Is it any wonder they are criticized and called “little emperors” by the state run press? These Little Emperors are usually found in urban areas. The one child policy is not as strictly enforced in the country where more than one child’s labor is needed to make a farm successful.

Chinese parents, concentrating their parenting skills on one child, go to great lengths to make sure their child has every educational advantage. There are even reports of mother’s sitting next to their children in class, acting as teacher’s aide and disciplinarian. Homework time for older children becomes all-important. The house is silent, the best conditions devoted to the student. The children are also given every opportunity to be a success – music lessons, art lessons, and extra English language lessons.

The stereotype of these children is strong willed, spoiled and self-centered. The press regularly runs cautionary tales of children who commit suicide when they are denied candy or are disciplined. There are dire warnings of spoiling children with expensive clothing and too many toys. However, recent studies have shown them to be independent, verbal, and excelling academically.

The one child policy has changed life for individual families, but it has changed society, too. The idea of filial piety, the Chinese traditional ideal of revering and taking care of elders has been turned upside down.

China’s one child per family policy has been very successful. So successful that 24 million young men may never marry because of a shortage of eligible young women.

The one-child policy was written into the Chinese constitution in 1978. It was designed to stem an overpopulation boom that threatened destroy the country’s natural resources and economy. The policy, enforced by fines, abortion, and forced sterilization, has resulted in a lopsided birthrate of 115 males to 100 females. Normally, 105 males are born for every 100 females.

The number of girls has been further distorted by discarding female babies by neglect, abandonment, selective abortions, and infanticide. Traditionally, a son was desired because he and his family would care for his parents and carry on the family name. This is still an important family role in rural areas, and the government does make some exceptions to the one child limit for farmers and ethnic minorities.

Another social impact caused by the one child policy is the looming age imbalance of the Chinese Nation. Because of the low birth rate, there are too few younger workers to provide for the aging population. There are reports that the government is considering expanding the population policy to two children per family, to reverse the population loss.

When polled, most mothers (70%) suggested they would opt for two children. Others said they were satisfied with one child and did not have the time or the energy for more. The single children, without siblings and sharing, are often called “little emperors” and are called spoiled by their critics.

Wealthy urban families can take advantage of a loophole now. Children born in foreign countries are not counted under the policy, if they do not become Chinese citizens. Specialized travel agents now book flights to the United States where Chinese women can give birth to babies who will be U.S. Citizens.