Two Child Policy?
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As the world’s population explodes, countries are looking for ways to address new challenges. The policies are designed to address population growth and the associated problems, such as poverty, ageing population and environmental degradation.
One potential solution is a two-child policy, which would encourage couples to have no more than two children.
INDIA & TWO CHILD POLICY
India’s population is estimated at 1.3 billion people and is projected to grow to 1.6 billion by 2050.
The Indian government’s two-child policy was first implemented in 1975 to control population growth. The policy limits couples to have two children, with exceptions for certain circumstances, such as if the first child is disabled.
The Two-Child Policy was again introduced in India in 2016. The policy aims to restrict couples from having two children, except for certain circumstances like twins or triplets.
The policy has been controversial, with some arguing that it violates human rights, while others say that it is necessary to control population growth.
India has set a target to achieve a Total Fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 by 2025
With all these measures in place, India is a signatory to the Programme Of Action (POA) of the International Conference on Population and Development, 1994, which is unequivocally against coercion in family planning and the Right to Reproductive Freedom and Privacy
Although people have various birth control options and family planning programs available to them, the population explosion problem persists.
Promotion of Two-Child Norm Bill 2015 encourages small family norms in the next generation. Children of couples who follow a small family pattern are entitled to special benefits such as free education and employment under the bill.
The Two Child Policy is often referred to as the “Two Is Enough” policy.
The Bill, if enacted, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.
There are pros and cons to this policy. On the one hand, it could help to control the population growth rate, which is currently unsustainable.
But on the other hand, it could lead to human rights violations and create a two-tiered society where those with more children are seen as inferior.
The Two-Child Policy was a controversial policy implemented in some parts of India in 2015.
The following are some of the proposed measures in Assam's and Uttar Pradesh's two-child policy bill.
PROHIBITIVE METHOD
Any person who has more than two children after the legislation is passed would be disqualified from numerous benefits, such as welfare programs.
If an individual has a ration card, they are only allowed four members. Additionally, if they want to run for election for the regional authority, they would not be able to.
A person with three or more children is no longer eligible to work for the State government.
People already working full-time will be denied a pay rise in government employment.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
People, especially public workers, are offered many benefits if they agree to permanently stop having children at two.
Government employees having two children or less, will be eligible for extra job increments, subsidies on purchasing land or housing, and a 3% increase in Employee Provident Fund under the National Pension Scheme.
Parents with one child will receive four additional increments in employment, free healthcare, and schooling for their child until the age of 20.
Those not in government jobs who follow the two-child policy will receive rebates on their electricity and water bills, home loans from banks, and housing tax, according to the act.
CHINA & TWO CHILD POLICY
The term one-child policy refers to a population planning initiative in China implemented between 1980 and 2015. It was to curb the country’s population growth by restricting families to a single child.
It was introduced in 1979 and modified in the mid-1980s to allow rural parents a second child if the first was a daughter.
China removed this policy in 2015, changing the law to allow couples to have two children.
The Chinese government implemented a two-child limit in the same year, aiming to control population growth and balance demographic imbalances.
The existing policy allows married couples to have two children under certain circumstances, including ethnic minorities and agricultural families.
With China’s recent announcement of plans to end its decades-long “one-child policy,” there has been a lot of debate about what effect this will have on the country.
Some people believe this change will be positive, giving families more freedom and allowing them to have more than one child. Others, however, are concerned about the potential adverse effects of this policy change, such as overpopulation and strain on resources.
The policy change was widely welcomed by the public and has helped to slow down population growth in China.
In 2017, the country’s fertility was low, at 1.6 children per woman.
Despite the positive impact of the two-child policy, there are still some concerns about its long-term effects on Chinese society. For example, it is unclear how the policy will impact the country’s ageing population.
It had a declining youth population for years. However, the population over 65 has risen from about 4% to almost 10%.
The policy also had worrying consequences for the gender balance as a desire for male children led to reported abortions and infanticide to ensure a couple’s only child was a boy.
Overall, the two-child policy seems a positive step toward slowing population growth in China.
There are many reasons why a two-child policy could benefit an ageing population.
First, it would help to reduce the number of dependents relative to the number of working adults. It would ease the burden on social welfare programs and allow more resources to be focused on care for the elderly.
Additionally, a smaller workforce would lead to higher wages and better working conditions for those employed.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to a two-child policy. For one, it could lead to a decline in the birth rate, which would negatively affect the economy.
Additionally, it could create a generational divide, with children feeling like they have to shoulder the burden of caring for their parents and grandparents.
The policy has remained in place over the years and has been credited with helping to improve social stability and reduce poverty levels in China. There are some recent changes to the policy, however, which suggest that it may be relaxed in the future.
CONSEQUENCES
However, it is also possible that the policy will negatively affect the country’s economy and social stability.
Some couples have reported being pressured or even forced to undergo sterilisation procedures to comply with the policy.
Another reason for the declining birth rate of girls is a growing concern over an impending increase in unsafe abortions.
In a patriarchal society where people are limited to two children, the pressure on women to give male children will rise. As a result, there will be more dangerous abortions and an unbalanced sex ratio.
On the contrary, the Indian government should make individuals aware of the severe consequences of an expanding population rather than forcing the Bill on them.
RELIGION AND FAITH
India has always been a land of diversity, reflected in its population. India is home to many different religions, and each of these religions has its own set of beliefs and practices.
As one of the world’s most populous countries, almost 80% are Hindu, 14% are Muslim, 2% are Christian, and the remaining 6% belong to other faiths.
The policy has been controversial, with some criticising it for violating religious freedom and human rights. Others argue that it is necessary to help India’s economy grow.
There are several factors to consider when looking at the two-child policy from a religious perspective. First, Hinduism, India’s largest religion, teaches that life is sacred and should be respected. It includes respect for human life, as well as all living beings.
Buddhism also teaches compassion and respect for all living things. However, Buddhists believe that individuals have the power to control their destinies. This principle means that each person is responsible for making choices that will lead to a good life.
Islam teaches that children are a gift from Allah and should be cherished.
Like all other religions, Christians, too, believe in the sanctity of human life. It means that all life is sacred and should be respected. However, Christians also believe in the importance of families and children. Therefore, many Christians would argue that the two-child policy violates human rights.
There are a variety of religious perspectives on the two-child policy. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity teach respect for human life.
However, they also have different beliefs about individuals’ responsibility to make choices that will lead to a good life. Ultimately, each person must decide what they believe about the policy.
ARGUMENT AGAINST TWO CHILD POLICY
“If you do anything by taking away certain benefits, that’s coercion.
The Two Child Policy has been controversial, and its effectiveness is yet to be seen. India’s population is projected to continue to grow in the coming years, and it remains to be seen whether or not the Two Child Policy will be able to control population growth.
Although, some view it as an infringement of human rights and reproductive freedoms.
The Two Child Policy has been criticised for being coercive and violating the right to freedom of reproduction. There has also been criticism of the policy’s lack of implementation and enforcement.
If people are forced to have a certain number of children, it would be "counterproductive" and create an “demographic distortion”. Any action that coercively forces someone to do something is likely to make the prejudice against girls even worse.
In the landmark case of Suchita Srivastava & Anr vs Chandigarh Administration (2009), the Supreme Court bench found that a woman making reproductive decisions is an essential element of the right to personal liberty secured by Article 21 of the Indian constitution.
Two child policy is a human experiment and the long-term effects of the policy are still unknown.
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