The surplus of men in China: A gender issue or a social threat?
Authors: Eamonn Noonan & Tara Riva
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China's one-child policy, implemented in 1979, led to a significant gender imbalance due to a strong cultural preference for sons. Many families resorted to prenatal sex selection, resulting in a surplus of men. By 2020, China had 30-35 million more men than women of marrying age. This imbalance, driven by societal and economic pressures, raises concerns about social instability, with potential increases in crime and unrest among unmarried men, particularly in poorer areas. Although the policy ended in 2016, its long-term effects remain a significant challenge for Chinese society.
Page 38
China's one-child policy, implemented in 1979, led to a significant gender imbalance due to a strong cultural preference for sons. Many families resorted to prenatal sex selection, resulting in a surplus of men. By 2020, China had 30-35 million more men than women of marrying age. This imbalance, driven by societal and economic pressures, raises concerns about social instability, with potential increases in crime and unrest among unmarried men, particularly in poorer areas. Although the policy ended in 2016, its long-term effects remain a significant challenge for Chinese society.