Since 1979, the Chinese government has administered their One Child Policy to cap the exponentially growing population of China. Before, it was seen as patriotic and desireable to have a large family because that meant more hands to work in the fields. Today, those who have a second child are faced with grim penalties and even more grim options.
Under Chinese law, the following will happen if a woman has a second child: a fine of no less than 300,000 rmb ($37,500 USD), the revocation of business or teaching or any other such license, stoppage of water AND power to the household. And, if this isn't bad enough, if the second child is discovered by the government they will kill the child or force an abortion for the woman.
What options are then left for a person from Zhongshan who is pregnant with her second child? None are very pleasent and none are very legal.
The woman could: illegally enter Hong Kong or Macao or try to find an international flight to Guam (US soil) or LA (v. difficult) and overstay her visa to have the baby illegally in the US. Other options include: going to a distant province, moving frequently as not to stir questions, having the baby and handing it over to relatives or, gulp, not having the baby at all. Any way, it's pretty grim.
This policy has helped to control a population surge in the world's most populus country, but a what cost?
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