China's Population Policy: One-Child Variations and Fertility Response

Susan E. Short, Brown University
Andrew Foster, Brown University

It is now more than two decades since the institution of China's one-child policy. Life in China is substantially different than it was twenty years ago. In particular, economic context, due to economic reform and associated economic growth, has changed markedly. To what extent does fertility in China today reflect individual preference or adherence to policy dictates? Our paper is an attempt to gain a better understanding of precisely this issue. We approach this question by exploring the effects of relaxing the one-child policy on fertility behavior. Results should enhance our understanding of the ability of policymakers to influence childbearing directly through birth planning restrictions and indirectly through economic change. (EXTENDED ABSTRACT SENT BY EMAIL TO SESSION ORGANIZERS)