Eternity and Reproductive Success

[Deanna Wiist]

I thoroughly enjoyed the lecture this morning with Professor Yunxiang Yan. There was so much to think about and unpack after this morning’s session. One of the most intriguing moments for me was when he talked about how the concept of eternity in China was linked to reproductive success. That was a powerful insight into Chinese culture. Eternity. That’s as big of a deal as it gets. I spend a lot of time with my students studying demographics, pro-natalist and anti-natalist policies, and demographic transition and economic development; however, sometimes it’s difficult for students to grasp the cultural nuances or societal implications of a policy within a specific country. The knowledge that I gained today will help me better help the students appreciate the changes within China.

 

When considering the concept of eternity and reproductive success, it’s possible to have deeper understanding and more appreciation of how revolutionary a policy like One-Child really was. Even if China was moving naturally in the direction of reduced fertility, an explicit policy and an accelerated time frame are different and have the potential to upset society and cause anxiety. The policy was getting at the psychological heart of the Chinese people. It’s also a lesson in the adaptability of people to a new normal and demonstrates unintended consequences. Chinese new-familism shows that adjustment to new policies and changing economic conditions, but consequences that no one in government probably anticipated.