China 3
China 3Although in the past the influence of the family in China was
weakened due to Communist leaders, today it is the basic structure of
Chinese society. The Chinese family has managed to survive the vast
changes of the past quarter century. It still remains the basic social unit.
China's population is extremely large, therefore it adopted the one -
child - per - family policy( Ahmad,93). To enforce this policy the
Government set up strict penalties and rewards. Families that insisted
on having more than one child are fined and only receive small portions
of food for their second child. The families that excepted it benefited
greatly. They get wage increases, and a chance for a better more
efficient life.
The success of this policy varies in different areas. In the cities
many families still only have one child. But for the farmers and
peasants, more kids means extra labor so they often have more than
one kid. In rural areas the traditional family consisted of the head of the
household, his sons, and their wives and children, often all living under
one roof.
Land, the main form of wealth in traditional China, was divided
equally among all the landowners surviving sons when he died. Living
conditions for the average peasant are generally better today then they
were in the past. There are more opportunities for education and
greater security for the family as social unit.
Marriage in China has also changed. Today there is a law that
provides for the freedom of choice in marriages. This law also states
that men and woman are equal, therefore a man can no longer
dominate a woman. There are also no more arranged marriages.
The elderly in China still hold their esteem, they are thought to be
wise and have the best advice. Today, family members...
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