China

Challenges for Prayer

Challenges of population growth afflict Chinese with sobering troubles both now and even more acutely in the future. Although restrictions and their implementation are loosening, effects of the grievous “one-child policy” on society continue to be severe. The Chinese perform in excess of 13 million abortions per year, now a widely accepted form of birth control, particularly sex-specific (female) abortions. Many infants, if not aborted, are abandoned or kidnapped and trafficked. Some children who are raised without siblings are unduly pampered, potentially creating a sub-culture of self-absorption and indulgence. Further complications include

a) Gender imbalance. The rising generation will pay perhaps the heaviest cost related to the one-child policy, with studies predicting 20-30 million men left single by the year 2020. In some areas, young men outnumber young women by 30-40%; rape, abductions, female slavery, incest, prostitution, widespread homosexuality and the rapid spread of AIDS could be the results.

b) Work force. Coming decades will see a significant decrease in young workers for certain sectors of industry and the military in particular.

c) Care for the elderly. With fewer children available to care for aging parents, and with changes in pensions provided by the state, the need for elder care in the coming generation will present a burden on Chinese society. Many elders are, as with young children, abandoned and left without sufficient care.
Pray for wise policies to be implemented that will stabilize the population.

     For an additional 5 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.