In 1979, the One-child campaign was introduced. The goals of the program were to eliminate all births above or equal to three per family and to encourage most families, particularly in urban areas, to...

In 1979, the One-child campaign was introduced. The goals of the program were to eliminate all births above or equal to three per family and to encourage most families, particularly in urban areas, to have no more than one child. The Chinese government went to great lengths to ensure the success of the one-child policy. Couples were supposed to get a birth permit before conceiving. It was a familiar sight in China to see billboards advertising birth control and the one-child goals. It was not unusual to hear of coercion, abortions, and sterilizations being used to enforce the one-child policy. Over the years, though, many exceptions were permitted: Rural couples without boys and ethnic minorities were allowed more than one child. Hong Kong and Macau were exempt from the policy. Wealthy families avoided the law by going abroad to give birth or by paying large fines.