Robert Vance writes:
Most of my Chinese friends as is the case with many Americans, know very little about Governor Sarah Palin, John Mcain’s choice for running mate in the 2008 Presidential Election. When they do learn more about her, there is one aspect of her life that will undoubtedly catch the attention of many people here. Earlier this year, Governor Palin gave birth to a baby boy despite the fact that doctors told her that he would have Down syndrome. Making the same choice in China is nearly unheard of. If a Chinese mother finds out that her unborn baby is afflicted with a deformity or other abnormality, it is standard procedure to have the baby aborted.
There are many reasons why China is an unfriendly place for disabled people both unborn and born. First, China’s one child policy dictates that after their parents die, disabled children may have no one to take care of them since they would have no siblings. Having a disabled child would also cause problems in a country where social security is lacking and children are expected to take care of their parents in their old age. Faced with such an uncertain future both for their child and themselves, most Chinese parents choose to terminate the pregnancy.
The government’s one child policy has also produced other perhaps ‘unintended’ negative consequences for disabled children. According to Chinese law, parents who give birth to a handicapped child are eligible to ‘have another try’ at bringing a healthy baby into the world. This policy seems to diminish the value of a disabled person’s life in China as parents rush to have a “better child.”
To read more:
http://www.teachabroadchina.com/china-sarah-palin-disabled-people-chinese/
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