China's Reproductive Behavior and Culture Research Proposal

This is called "reproduction worship." According to this belief the world originated from Yin and Yang life force. This has had a great impact on Chinese culture and its view of reproduction. Yin is considered a male life force with many powerful positive attributes while Yang is assigned mainly weaker attributes. Reproduction is given much importance because of its power to move the universe ahead and to expand the same. The forces of Yin and Yang are both needed for actions to have impact. There are other beliefs that seem to have an impact on reproductive behavior among Chinese couples. (Tang, 1995)

Since Confucianism advocates sexual restraint and asceticism, marriage is seen as a vehicle for reproduction rather than a means of enjoying sex. Secondly families are considered very significant because of ancestor worship. Since ancestors are revered in Chinese culture, having a family is always the motivating force behind getting married. In this pro-natalist culture where large families are preferred and male children considered even more important, naturally the government's policy was deeply resented.The Chinese culture has depended on natural forces to control population growth instead of use of contraceptives. The pronatalist tendency has become the cornerstone of Confucian reproductive beliefs and has had a great impact on China's reproductive behavior.(Tang, 1995) Had it not been for the one child policy that penalized anyone having a second child, the impact of Confucianism would have been even more obvious. Chinese culture still affects the way people plan their families in the country. Most couples get married with the desire to start a family and having a male child is far more important than having a girl. Every Chinese couple would want at least one male child. Even though there has been a shift in people's thinking, still cultural traditions direct people's reproductive choices.

References

Tang Z. Confucianism, Chinese culture, and reproductive behavior

Journal Population & Environment Issue Volume 16,….....