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China is a country whose culture dates back to
the earliest records known to man. At first glance, some of China's
beliefs may seem quite different than those we hold in the western
world. One example of this is the cultural preference for a male
child. There are several reasons why Chinese families might prefer a
boy over a girl. In rural provinces, a family's livelihood depends
directly on the output of its family members. Because of this, a
family with sons would be at a considerable advantage than one with
daughters. Historically, it is also the son's honored responsibility
to take care of his parents in their old age. A daughter, however,
would be expected to care for her husband's parents rather than her
own. In this regard, the Chinese believe that having a son is
crucial to their livelihood, as well as a form of social security
for the parents when they grow older. Although in recent years,
China has done much to change these belief systems, many families,
especially in rural areas, still strongly favor the birth of a male
child. This situation is further complicated by China's One- Child
Policy, which prohibits families from having more than one child. As
a result of this policy, there are thousands of abandoned children
throughout China, with the vast majority of them being healthy
girls.
Courtesy
of America World
Reprinted by permission of Brian Lewis, AWAA President
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