Family structure

Family structure in China 

China has changed significantly over the last few years , including changes in family structure . A traditional Chinese family usually consists of at least two generations of people including men and women and children , and there is a general phenomenon of three generations , four generations and even five generations living under the same roof . A large family is often held at a great price .,

However, along with social progress and breakthrough change , the size and structure of the traditional Chinese family has changed . Small size , simple structure and pattern varies family has become the most important feature of a modern Chinese family . Since the introduction of the reform and opening – up policy , to adapt to changes in the way of social production and lifestyle , traditional family structures are complicated and large size gradually turned into a family of simple structure and small size . Guo , a resident in Beijing , Tianshuiyuan , said . ” When I was young , I had a family of 12 members , including my parents , my grandparents , and eight brothers and sisters , I was the youngest in my family now . I have a family of three with one child . ” Currently , more and more adults are moving , especially their elderly parents . Many young couples are now living with their parents for a family tradition , but because they can not afford to buy or rent an apartment home. 

One child policy 

The one-child policy, officially the family planning policy, is the population control policy of the People's Republic of China. Many demographers consider the term "one-child" policy a misnomer, as the policy allows many exceptions: rural families can have a second child if the first child is a girl or is disabled, and ethnic minorities are exempt. Families in which neither parent has siblings are also allowed to have two children. Residents of the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, and foreigners living in China are also exempt from the policy. In 2007, approximately 35.9% of China's population was subject to a one-child restriction.In November 2013, the Chinese government announced that it would further relax the policy by allowing families to have two children if one of the parents is an only child.

This policy was introduced in 1979 to alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems in China. Demographers estimate that the policy averted 200 million births between 1979 and 2009.The policy is controversial both within and outside China because of the manner in which the policy has been implemented, and because of concerns about negative social consequences.The policy has been implicated in an increase in forced abortions,female infanticide, and  under reporting of  female births, and has been suggested as a possible cause behind China's sex imbalance. Nonetheless, a 2008 survey undertaken by the Pew Research Center reported that 76% of the Chinese population supports the policy.

The policy is enforced at the provincial level through fines that are imposed based on the income of the family and other factors. "Population and Family Planning Commissions" (计划生育委员会) exist at every level of government to raise awareness and carry out registration and inspection work.