The large number of “shidu (bereaved) families” - parents who've lost their only child, and are too old to have another - is a byproduct of China’s strict family planning policy. Such families must be compensated by the government, argued a commentary at guancha.gmw.cn.
Even though every country has childless families, that so many have emerged in China in the last mere two or three decades sets the country apart historically. Moreover, although it’s possible for families with multiple children to lose them all, it's very unlikely except for war and famine.
The country adopted a strict family planning policy since the early 1980s and didn't adjust it until the 2010s.
The first batch of parents that was affected by the policy have turned or been turning to an old age. But the authorities haven’t released an official figure on how many “Shidu families” there are. This shows that they haven’t received enough attention, and the resulting social problems haven’t been addressed on an overall policy level, noted the commentary.
The implementation of a policy that affects the whole society will certainly have varied or opposite effects. Since some have suffered losses from such policies, policy makers and implementers should ensure they get compensation.
In the absence of a sound pension system, childless families will face particular problems. They, for example, might have no one to provide for them, attend their funerals, or inherit their property. All of these issues need policy responses, said the commentary. Such responses are an important manifestation of government credibility.
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