One-child America?

Newly married, I’ve been thinking a lot about children lately. To have or not to have? Now or later? One or two?

That last question, “one or two” has been especially thought provoking. As of now, I stand firm on a “one-child” policy for my family.  However,  recent blogs and articles HAVE made me question this stance, sometimes re-affirming it, along with my own wisdom that decisions cannot be made until you’re actually in the position to make them. I can dream big about how I’ll live life as a published author, lottery winner, or mother, but until the money’s in the bank my ocean front mansion is simply conjecture. Until the bun has emerged from the oven, I can’t REALLY be sure about how many more I’ll be willing to bake. Provided I’m even able to mix the dough at all!

Despite the knowledge that I won’t know how I”ll feel until I’ve gone through pregnancy and childbirth successfully, one recent yahoo article about China’s one-child policy and the status of women in that country has got me wondering how America  would fare if parents were only allowed one bambino.

In one-child China, girls are the new boys. Ipads are no longer just for the weiner wielding among them: “They’ve basically gotten everything that used to only go to the boys,” said Vanessa Fong. The article then details this “everything”  as ipads, tutors, and allowances.

Today’s Chinese parents “perceive their daughters as the family’s sole hope for the future,” and try to help them to outperform their classmates, regardless of gender. 

While girls have been benefitting lately, overall, each child there, boy or girl receives ALL of their parents spare attention, money, and time. Perhaps this contributes to the fact that China’s children outperform American ones in almost every subject.

Is it possible that we’re missing the mark in our attacks on teachers, unions, and politicians for their contribution, or lack thereof, to America’s education system? Perhaps, we really just need to stop having so many babies so that parents AND teachers can focus their attention more efficiently. I can see the bumper stickers now: Prob 66 – Say YES to a One Child Only California.

Yes, I know that bread would never rise. We’re a democracy! For the people by the people! Freeeeedom! Oh how we misuse freedom (Welfare recipient bumper sticker alert: I’m in the Baby Business. I build’em. You Pay for’em!) But I still love it – this democratic U.S.A.

Because despite China’s well deserved reputation as an industrious and rapidly growing modern nation, vying for the top spot as the World’s Super Power, the Chinese  might sacrific a little thing like math advantage for some fun.  

A woman interviewed for yahoo’s story said: “Most people want two children so their children can have somebody to play with while they’re growing up.”

Who cares about test scores and world domination if you don’t have someone to play with?