| Abstract: | In 1985, a policy of allowing rural single daughter families to have a 2nd birth was practiced in the Datuan Village of the Xingfu Town in the Zhifu district, about 10 kilometers to the north of the Yantai City, Shangdong Province. Since the practice, 80 single-daughter families (26% of the total) have signed contracts of their own accord with the villagers' council, indicating they would have only 1 daughter in their lifetime. Clearly, family planning has been deeply rooted among the people in this area, and the childbearing concept of farmers is shifting along with economic development. Efforts have been made to accelerate the development of the rural economy and to increase the income of farmers. In Datuan Village, due to the vigorous development of the village-operated enterprises, the gross income of industry and agriculture in the village has increased from 1.958 million yuan RMB in 1980 to 4.769 million in 1986, with an average income ranging from 250-617 yuan. With the improvement in the living standard, people are willing to pursue a modern lifestyle, and the traditional childbearing concept is fading. It is necessary to provide good family planning publicity and services while the collective economy develops. The Datuan villagers now have a better understanding of family planning and have become more voluntary in the practice of family planning. There has not been a single unplanned birth since 1980. |
