China offers single moms perks for having babies

 

China offers single moms perks for having babies

Recently, China implemented the One Child Policy to control its population, which also happens to be the fastest growing in the world. At one point, it was strictly enforced with forced abortions and sterilizations, but as of 2013, couples who have had at least one child are allowed two children under the policy’s two-child policy (Business Insider). However, single women who want to give birth under this policy do not qualify because only married couples are allowed to have a second child.

How it works

China is offering financial incentives to women who have babies in an effort to boost its flagging birthrate. The program, which began last year, provides a one-time payment of $1,400 to women who have a baby. The payments are available to both married and unmarried women, but single mothers are not eligible.

How to qualify

In order to qualify for the program, women must be married and have a hukou, or household registration. They also must be between the ages of 20 and 49, and have had no more than two children. 

To receive the benefits, women must give birth in a state-licensed hospital. Once they do, they’ll receive a maternal and child health handbook which they can use to access various benefits like free health check-ups and discounts on diapers and baby formula.

What you can get

In China, the government is trying to encourage women to have more babies. To do this, they are offering perks like cash bonuses, longer maternity leave, and free or discounted childcare. However, these benefits are only available to married women. Single mothers are not eligible for any of these programs.

What you can't get

In China, the government offers a number of financial incentives for couples to have children, including subsidies and extended maternity leave. However, these benefits are not available to single mothers. Additionally, women who have children out of wedlock face social stigma and may be disowned by their families. As a result, many single mothers struggle to provide for their children.

History of policy change in China

China has a long history of implementing population control measures, including the one-child policy that was in place from 1979 to 2015. In 2016, the government began to relax some of these restrictions, allowing couples to have two children. And now, in an effort to boost fertility rates, single women are being offered financial incentives to have babies.