Zhang Bowen, born in 1985
Since its
introduction in 1979, China’s One Child Policy has resulted in a generation of
only children or ‘singletons.’ The state estimates that 400 million births have
been averted since 1980, saving scarce food resources and helping pull families
out of poverty. Despite this, critics say it has created a generation of ‘spoilt
brats’ and reinforced a cultural preference for male heirs who can take better
care of their parents in old age. If couples are allowed only one child, many
want to make sure it is a boy. Couples violating the policy have had to pay a
fine, or in some cases have been forced to undergo abortions. It is a
relatively new idea to research the welfare of these singletons and their
thoughts on the one child policy. What is it really like to be an only child in
China today? Photographer Carlos Barria aimed
to find out. He photographed a person born in each year China’s one child policy
has been in existence; starting from a man Cai Hua born in 1979, to a baby Jin
Yanxi born in 2014. He asked each singleton
whether they would like to have siblings. Barria
found totally different answers for the different age groups. The majority of the
older generation wished they had grown up with a sibling, as it would have been
less lonely.
Those only children in their 20’s and 30’s now find it hard to take care
of their parents alone, as well as their own families. Zhang Bowen, (pictured
above) who was born in 1985, said: "I would like to have had a sister or a
brother because I would have felt less lonely when I was growing up… as your
parents get older, it would be good to have brothers and sisters to share the
responsibilities." Lu Da, born in 1986 felt similarly. He said: ‘When my
parents get older, I need to take the
responsibility of taking care of them. If there are brothers or sisters at home
things will be much
easier." Barria found that the
teenagers’ views were different. These
singletons were more concerned about their parents’ ability to pay for their education;
if they had siblings, money would have to be shared between two or three.
^Jiang Chencheng, born in 1993
Jiang Chencheng, who
was born in 1993 said: "I wouldn't like to have a brother or a sister
because I would have to share the family's financial resources with them and it
would be very difficult for our parents to send them to good Universities."
Other teenagers believed they would not do as well in their studies if they had
a brother or sister. Wang Qi'an, who was born in 2003 answered: ‘I have investigated
all my classmates who have brothers and sisters. None of them perform well in
their studies.’ The last age group Barria photographed was young children.
He found that most only children born recently said they were happy being an
only child; they didn’t wish to share their toys or the attention of their
parents.
^Liu Ziyu, born in 2009
Liu Ziyu, was born
in 2009. She said that she didn't want siblings “because my mother would dote
on him or her." Many of the young children’s answers were similar to this
one.
Barria concluded that his project gave him
the opportunity to see a whole generation of singleton Chinese, from 0-35 years
old and hear what their frustrations, expectations and dreams for the future were.
More importantly, the photographer’s investigation may give us insight into the
future pressures on only children in China today. It may also help us see the impacts
of the One Child Policy on these singletons. Has it truly been a success?
Article
by Harriet Jennings
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