Overpopulation

10 Pages 2582 Words

hapter in human history. In 1949, the people?s Republic of China was established, and I 1990, the Fourth national Census was conducted. In 1949, the new China had 583 million people, and I 1990, the result of the census shows the country?s human race numbered 1.134 billion (Tian 2-3). In addition, since 1949, the country has encountered three baby booms in its astounding population growth history, and until the present, the country is still experiencing its third explosion in human growth (Hou 26-27). Under Chairman Mao?s leadership, the first baby boom started in the early 1950?s, and second baby boom started in 1963 (Hou 26). During that time, Chinese couples were encouraged to produce more children, because of Chairman Mao?s deeply-rooted belief that the number of a nation?s humans was a tactical advantage (Deane 18). During the first two booms, China overlooked the real condition of its population growth rate, and even though a nationwide population-planning program was introduced in 1970 in response to the rapid growth, it was never fully enforced, because the Chinese government was unaware of the costly consequences of overpopulation. By 1985, China had entered its third boom which was instigated by the offspring of the second baby boom as they reached their peak reproductive years (Hou 26-28). In response to the continuously growing population, the Chinese government finally focused on the issue, and began with controlling marriage licenses starting in late 1970?s. In order to effectively control early marriages, which tend towards early child bearing, a marriage law has been imposed to outlaw marriage for males under the age of 22, and females under the age of 20. In fact, this law has been proven successful in reducing the number of offspring per female, and Population Council has credited this policy for deferring millions of births over the past two decades (China A15) By 1979, the government has expanded its control over fam...