Is Two Better Than One? Urban Young Women's Views of the Two-Child Policy in China

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate urban young women’s positionalities under the two-child policy by conducting semi-structured interviews with twelve young women in Beijing, China. The interviews explored urban young women’s views on the two-child policy and how they were influenced by the implications of the policy in terms of education, employment, reproductive rights, and gender equality. The interviewees have a unique perspective as all of them were born in the era of the one-child policy. Their experiences will be helpful in understanding the transition to the two-child policy and the challenges that come along. Many interview subjects approved the implementation of the two-child policy. However, they pointed out the policy has unintentionally contributed to gender discrimination in professional environments. Also, the goal of having more children has created pressure for women and competition inside the household. The findings from the interviews reveal the complexity young women face in modern Chinese society, as they have to constantly battle with the new social expectations and persisting traditional values.