Chinese youth favor one-child families
Yu, P.
Population Today 23(4): 4-5
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0749-2448 PMID: 12319246 Document Number: 288383
Sichuan province in China has 109 million people. Reports from a 1988 student survey of over 69% of students from rural Sichuan province indicated most lived by moderate standards, and family economic well-being has improved in the past 5 years. 78% of the teenagers surveyed considered the one-child family ideal. 43% of students in the 7th grade but only 31% in the 12th grade preferred having only one child someday. 65% of 7th graders compared to only 43% of 12th graders thought that the one-child family was an ideal family size for China. The desired family size for oneself was higher for urban youth (1.2) than rural youth (1.0). About 90% agreed with the statement that China had a population growth problem. Manliness and happiness were not equated with having large families. Over 50% agreed that children provided old age security. 80% reported lack of son preference. Modern attitudes were also reflected in the attitude toward equality in marriage and women's role. Student attitudes on small family size could reflect a norm or youthful responses that would change with maturity. 75% reported a desire to use contraception. 10% disapproved of contraception within marriage, and 20% objected to any personal use of contraception. 49% disagreed and 29% agreed with the unacceptability of premarital sexual relations. The average ideal marriage age was given as 24.3 years for women and 25.4 years for men. Suitable marriage age did not vary by socioeconomic status. Only 10% considered getting married as very important for themselves, and only 28% thought married people were happier. Under 50% thought everyone should get married. Regardless of the modern attitudes reported, the indications were that knowledge of family planning and human sexuality was limited. Only 18% knew when a woman's most fertile period was. About 40% relied on printed material as the main source of information on sexuality and reproduction. 18% learned about sexuality from their peers. Under 10% talked with parents about having children or received information from parents about sexuality. 62% knew almost nothing about family planning. Only 16% of 12th grade students knew three or more methods. Sexual practices were not surveyed. More formally educated students and students with a modern outlook were most likely to have greater knowledge of sexual matters. The population education curriculum favored social aspects over reproductive content.