China relaxes one-child rules

China relaxes one-child rules

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This story was first published in 2014.

China’s children of the future may now have someone to play with. After decades of a strict one-child policy, the ruling Communist Party plans to ease restrictions and allow couples to have two children.

It marks a major shake-up in family planning - already eased in 2013 – in the world’s most populous nation. The change of tack aims to deal with the country’s shrinking supply of workers.

. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria
"This generation carries the burden of too much pressure,” said Huang Zheng, born in 1980.

Critics say the one-child policy created a generation of spoilt brats and reinforced a cultural preference for male heirs who can better take care of their parents in old age - if couples are allowed only one child, many want to make sure it’s a boy.

Wang Feng, an expert on demographic and social change in China, called the policy shift an "historic event" that would change the world. But he said the challenges of China's ageing society would remain.

"It's an event that we have been waiting for for a generation," Wang said. “We have had to wait much too long.”

. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria
Huang Erbin, born in 1992, isn’t keen on the idea of siblings: “I don't want to share my parents' love with other people."

A growing number of scholars had urged the government to reform the rules, introduced in the late 1970s to prevent population growth spiralling out of control.

The policy is now regarded as outdated and responsible for shrinking China's labour pool. For the first time in decades the working age population fell in 2012.

. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

About a year ago, Carlos Barria photographed a person born in each year China’s one child policy was in existence; from a man born in 1979 to baby Jin Yanxi (above) born in 2014.

Barria asked them if they would like to have siblings. Some were still too young to make their opinions clear.

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Slideshow

Huang Aiting, who was born in 2013, did not say if he wanted to have siblings.
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Huang Aiting, who was born in 2013, did not say if he wanted to have siblings.

Xin Zhiteng, who was born in 2012, did not say if he would like to have siblings.
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Xin Zhiteng, who was born in 2012, did not say if he would like to have siblings.

Ma Chenxi, who was born in 2011, did not say if he would like to have siblings.
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Ma Chenxi, who was born in 2011, did not say if he would like to have siblings.

Qin Wuyue, who was born in 2010, said: "No, they're noisy."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Qin Wuyue, who was born in 2010, said: "No, they're noisy."

Liu Ziyu, who was born in 2009, said that she didn't want siblings “because my mother would dote on him or her."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Liu Ziyu, who was born in 2009, said that she didn't want siblings “because my mother would dote on him or her."

Ding Zhongcheng, born in 2008, said: "I don't want to have older brothers or sisters or younger ones either, because I don't want them to mess up all the things in the house. If there was a chance that my mother could give birth to older siblings, then I would accept it.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Ding Zhongcheng, born in 2008, said: "I don't want to have older brothers or sisters or younger ones either, because I don't want them to mess up all the things in the house. If there was a chance that my mother could give birth to older siblings, then I would accept it.”

Liang Xiao, born in 2007, said: “I want a little sister because little brothers are naughty.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Liang Xiao, born in 2007, said: “I want a little sister because little brothers are naughty.”

Liu Yuwei, born in 2006, said she would like siblings "because I want to play with them."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Liu Yuwei, born in 2006, said she would like siblings "because I want to play with them."

Qian Dingheng, born in 2005, said: "I don't want [a sibling], because he would interrupt my homework.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Qian Dingheng, born in 2005, said: "I don't want [a sibling], because he would interrupt my homework.”

Yu Yan, born in 2004, said:  "I want to have someone to play with.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Yu Yan, born in 2004, said: "I want to have someone to play with.”

Wang Qi'an, born in 2003, said: "No because I have investigated all my classmates who have brothers or sisters. None of them perform well in their studies."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Wang Qi'an, born in 2003, said: "No because I have investigated all my classmates who have brothers or sisters. None of them perform well in their studies."

Ding Tieru, born in 2002, said: “I'd like to have a brother. Because we would be able to play together. I want more friends. We would be able to help each other in our studies.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Ding Tieru, born in 2002, said: “I'd like to have a brother. Because we would be able to play together. I want more friends. We would be able to help each other in our studies.”

Dai Jingting, born in 2001, said she would like siblings "because it would be boring for me to stay at home alone."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Dai Jingting, born in 2001, said she would like siblings "because it would be boring for me to stay at home alone."

Yao Jihan, born in 2000, said: "No. I don't know. Maybe, maybe, because it's troublesome. If there is one more person in this house, the room will not be big enough to hold two children. I don't feel lonely because I have a lot of friends."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Yao Jihan, born in 2000, said: "No. I don't know. Maybe, maybe, because it's troublesome. If there is one more person in this house, the room will not be big enough to hold two children. I don't feel lonely because I have a lot of friends."

Zhu Diwen, born in 1999, said: "I have a cousin and I don't want to have brothers and sisters."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhu Diwen, born in 1999, said: "I have a cousin and I don't want to have brothers and sisters."

Zhang Xiaoying, born in 1998, said: “Yes, because if I had a brother older than me, he could help me do many things, play with me."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhang Xiaoying, born in 1998, said: “Yes, because if I had a brother older than me, he could help me do many things, play with me."

Zhao Mengge, born in 1997, said: "Yes I'd like to have sisters. Little sisters are not naughty and they are easier to look after.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhao Mengge, born in 1997, said: "Yes I'd like to have sisters. Little sisters are not naughty and they are easier to look after.”

Yang Zheng, born in 1996, said: "I would like to have a big brother to teach me things, take me travelling and take care of me."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Yang Zheng, born in 1996, said: "I would like to have a big brother to teach me things, take me travelling and take care of me."

Lv Mengmeng, born in 1995, said: "Maybe brothers, because I think they could protect me."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Lv Mengmeng, born in 1995, said: "Maybe brothers, because I think they could protect me."

Wang Yanrong, born in 1994, said: "Yes, I would like to have a brother or a sister because that would be much more fun. There are times when you don't know who to talk to and then it would be better if I had a sibling. I know a cousin who has a sibling and they have a very good relationship."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Wang Yanrong, born in 1994, said: "Yes, I would like to have a brother or a sister because that would be much more fun. There are times when you don't know who to talk to and then it would be better if I had a sibling. I know a cousin who has a sibling and they have a very good relationship."

Jiang Chencheng, born in 1993, said: "I wouldn't like to have a brother or a sister because I would have to share the [family's] financial [resources] with them and it would be very difficult for our parents to send them to good universities."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Jiang Chencheng, born in 1993, said: "I wouldn't like to have a brother or a sister because I would have to share the [family's] financial [resources] with them and it would be very difficult for our parents to send them to good universities."

Xiao Wenjin, born in 1991, said: "I wish I had brothers and sisters because I think it's interesting. I wouldn't feel so lonely. We would have to share ... I like to share.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Xiao Wenjin, born in 1991, said: "I wish I had brothers and sisters because I think it's interesting. I wouldn't feel so lonely. We would have to share ... I like to share.”

Zhang Haoran, born in 1990, said: "Actually it would be a good thing to have brothers or sisters who are of similar age. Then some problems that arise in our adulthood might be solved [more easily]. For example, communication with peers, and also learning sharing, individualism."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhang Haoran, born in 1990, said: "Actually it would be a good thing to have brothers or sisters who are of similar age. Then some problems that arise in our adulthood might be solved [more easily]. For example, communication with peers, and also learning sharing, individualism."

Zhu Wenjun, born in 1989, said: "Of course I want to have a brother or a sister because being a single child is so lonely. I want to have someone to play with and grow up with."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhu Wenjun, born in 1989, said: "Of course I want to have a brother or a sister because being a single child is so lonely. I want to have someone to play with and grow up with."

Dai Chen, born in 1988, said: "I don't want to have siblings because if I had a brother or a sister I would have to share. It would be difficult to get a good education."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Dai Chen, born in 1988, said: "I don't want to have siblings because if I had a brother or a sister I would have to share. It would be difficult to get a good education."

Chen Xuejun, born in 1987, said: "I want to have an older brother. We could play together and he would protect me."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Chen Xuejun, born in 1987, said: "I want to have an older brother. We could play together and he would protect me."

Lu Da, born in 1986, said: "On the one hand, during my growth it is a good thing to have a brother or a sister who has similar age around. For many things I could discuss with him or her. On the other hand when my parents get older I need to take the responsibility of taking care of them. If there are brothers or sisters at home things will be much easier."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Lu Da, born in 1986, said: "On the one hand, during my growth it is a good thing to have a brother or a sister who has similar age around. For many things I could discuss with him or her. On the other hand when my parents get older I need to take the responsibility of taking care of them. If there are brothers or sisters at home things will be much easier."

Zhang Bowen, born in 1985, said: "I would like to have had a sister or a brother because I would have felt less lonely when I was growing up ... As your parents get older, it would be good to have brothers and sisters to share the responsibilities."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhang Bowen, born in 1985, said: "I would like to have had a sister or a brother because I would have felt less lonely when I was growing up ... As your parents get older, it would be good to have brothers and sisters to share the responsibilities."

Liu Yun, born in 1984, said: "I don't want to have any brother or sister. I have cousins, I would say we love each other and we have very good connections. So I never feel I need a brother or a sister."
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Liu Yun, born in 1984, said: "I don't want to have any brother or sister. I have cousins, I would say we love each other and we have very good connections. So I never feel I need a brother or a sister."

Qin Wen, born in 1983, said: "I think it's good to have a brother or a sister."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Qin Wen, born in 1983, said: "I think it's good to have a brother or a sister."

Xu Yufang, born in 1982, said: "I longed to have a brother to protect me, because I'm alone."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Xu Yufang, born in 1982, said: "I longed to have a brother to protect me, because I'm alone."

Zhou Yu, born in 1981, said: “I wish I could have one brother because I am the only child in my family and while I do have lots of cousins, I'm the oldest one. So sometimes I wish I had an older brother to take care of me. Growing up, I think I missed having male role models.”
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Zhou Yu, born in 1981, said: “I wish I could have one brother because I am the only child in my family and while I do have lots of cousins, I'm the oldest one. So sometimes I wish I had an older brother to take care of me. Growing up, I think I missed having male role models.”

Cai Hua, born in 1979, said: "I prefer to have a sister rather than a brother. I have a lot of friends who have a brother and they usually fight with each other."
. SHANGHAI, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Cai Hua, born in 1979, said: "I prefer to have a sister rather than a brother. I have a lot of friends who have a brother and they usually fight with each other."

Video

Reuters photographer Carlos Barria talks about his experience of documenting China’s only children.