Observations on Birth Planning in China, 1977

The People's Republic of China has a national family planning program which encourages late marriage, small families, and long birth intervals. The program attempts to make modern contraceptive, sterilization, and abortion services easily accessible. The birth planning program in 2 communes - Wan-Tou and Chang-Ching - is described in detail. In both communes, propaganda teams seek to reeducate the people to the new norms. Nearly 90% of all eligible women are using some form of birth control; in Wan-Tou more than 60% are using IUDs and less than 10% have been sterilized while in Chang-Ching the proportions are reversed. Both communities view family planning as legitimate and place a high priority on it. Traditional views regarding male superiority and the desirability of large families are the main obstacles to the family planning program. Regional variations exist in contraceptive preferences but practice is higher than 90% throughout the country. Municipal records, a sample of which is discussed, are used to monitor progress. The program has succeeded in lowering the birthrate since the early 1960s but more effort will be needed in the future.