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In the past, in a country, there was once a one-child policy. But recently, that policy has been discontinued. Of course many people ask about this. Some of the questions that arise are what are the potential advantages and disadvantages of a one-child policy in a country? Why was the policy discontinued?

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The one-child policy refers to a population control measure that was implemented in China between 1979 and 2015. It aimed to limit population growth by restricting most couples to having only one child. Let's explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of such a policy, as well as why it was discontinued.

Advantages of a one-child policy:

1. Population control: The primary advantage is that it helps control population growth, especially in countries experiencing rapid population growth. This can alleviate pressure on resources, infrastructure, and the environment.

2. Economic benefits: With a smaller population, there is a potential for increased per capita income and improved living standards. Fewer people mean less competition for jobs, education, and healthcare resources.

3. Women's empowerment: The policy could contribute to empowering women by giving them greater control over their reproductive choices. It allows women to pursue education and careers, leading to increased gender equality.

4. Environmental sustainability: By limiting population growth, a one-child policy can help reduce the strain on natural resources, decrease pollution levels, and mitigate the impact of human activities on the environment.

Disadvantages of a one-child policy:

1. Social consequences: The policy can result in a skewed gender ratio due to cultural preferences for male children, leading to a surplus of males and potential social instability. It can also result in an aging population, which puts a burden on the working-age population to support retirees.

2. Psychological impact: For couples who desire more than one child, the policy can lead to feelings of loss, disappointment, and psychological distress. The pressure to have a male child and the lack of siblings for emotional support can also impact individuals and families.

3. Violation of reproductive rights: Critics argue that a one-child policy violates individuals' reproductive rights, as it imposes restrictions on the number of children a couple can have, interfering with personal choices and autonomy.

4. Declining labor force: With fewer young people entering the workforce, a one-child policy can result in a shrinking labor force, potentially impacting economic growth and productivity.

The discontinuation of the one-child policy:

China discontinued the one-child policy in 2015 and implemented a two-child policy instead. There were several reasons for this change:

1. Aging population and labor force concerns: The policy contributed to an aging population, which put pressure on the working-age population to support retirees. To mitigate this, the Chinese government relaxed the policy to allow couples to have two children, aiming to address demographic challenges and maintain a sustainable labor force.

2. Gender imbalance: The policy resulted in a significant gender imbalance, with a preference for male children leading to sex-selective abortions and female infanticide. This created social and demographic imbalances, prompting the need for a policy shift.

3. Economic considerations: China recognized the need for a larger workforce to sustain economic growth. The two-child policy aimed to counteract the potential negative impacts of a shrinking labor force on the economy.

4. Social issues: The one-child policy faced criticism for its intrusion into reproductive rights and the psychological impact on families. The shift to a two-child policy was an acknowledgment of these concerns and an attempt to address them.

It's important to note that the specific advantages and disadvantages, as well as the reasons for discontinuation, can vary depending on the context, cultural factors, and the effectiveness of implementation.
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The one-child policy was a population control measure that was adopted in some countries, including China, from 1979 to 2015. Its aim was to reduce population growth by limiting the number of children a family could have.

The potential advantages of the policy include reduced population growth, increased economic development, and improved quality of life for families with fewer children. The potential disadvantages include a skewed gender balance, increased age gap between generations, and a lack of workers to support an aging population.

The policy was discontinued in China in 2015 due to a number of factors, including a declining birth rate, a rapidly aging population, and an increasingly negative public perception of the policy.
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The one child policy - limiting births per couple through coercive measures was implemented in the early 1980s and fertility dropped dramatically. There are potential advantages, like reduction in fertility rate, reduction in unemployment, reducing carbon mission and improving overall better living standards. 

Implementing One child policy is the only way to curb country's population growth. It will ultimately lead to raise standard of living of the general public of nation, thus benefitting overall status of the country. 

On the negative side, there are concerns about demographic and sex imbalance and psychological effects for a generation of only children in the cities. One Child Policy is associated with significant problems such as unbalanced sex ratio, increased crime and individual dissatisfaction toward the government.  

The policy was discontinued due to some factors, such as rise in abortion of female fetuses, because if first child is son, then its ok, but if it is girl, then it was deemed necessary to have abortion due to one child policy. Other factor was wish of elderly people. Thirdly, births of second or third children were going on unreported. So in late 2015, the program was announced as ending. Beginning in early 2016, all families were allowed to have two children.  

With data from 2020 census, highlighting looming demographic and economic crisis fueled by low birth rates, an aging population and shrinking workforce, in May 2021, it was announced that all married couples would be allowed to have as many as three children and this was formally passed into law in August 2021.
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