Based on available information, many Chinese children, particularly girls, were historically adopted not primarily due to poverty, but as a consequence of deliberate government policy.
The Impact of Government Policy on Adoption
The provided reference highlights a key factor contributing to the high number of adoptions:
- Government Mandate: The "one child" law, enforced by the Chinese Communist Party, limited couples to having only one baby.
- Population Control: The primary objective of this policy was to enforce population reduction.
- Making Children "Expendable": According to the reference, this policy led to children, specifically girls ("These girls"), being considered "expendable", rather than needing adoption because of poverty.
This deliberate government intervention created a social environment where certain children were more likely to be placed for adoption due to the restrictions on family size and traditional preferences that sometimes existed.
Key Takeaways from the Reference
- Adoption was often a result of policy, not necessarily economic hardship.
- The "one child" law was the direct governmental cause cited.
- This policy aimed at population control.
- It led to certain children being deemed "expendable".
This demonstrates how state policies can significantly influence social outcomes, including the need for child adoption.
