China and the One Child Policy

I just returned from a trip to Asia where China was one of the stops. For years, we have been reporting that China brutally enforces a one child per family policy using forced abortion and sterilization as enforcement techniques. We have worked with the National Right to Life Committee to deny funding to the UNFPA which helps China enforce this policy.

While in Shanghai, policy became reality. Our guide, a lovely young woman named Alice, talked freely about the one child policy and how it affects her family. Alice’s husband is a teacher and they have a five-year-old son. They are dependent on her husband’s income as Alice’s tourist work is sporadic. If they were to have another child, Alice’s husband would lose his job. Period. Even though not surprised, I was nonetheless stunned.

In Vietnam, another stop on the trip, the government encourages a one child policy but does not enforce it.

After visiting Asia and learning about the lack of freedom and government ownership and control over people’s property and lives, I am extremely grateful to be an American. And wonder how long our freedoms will be allowed.

Barbara Lyons