I’ve got some good articles and books saved for you. There were so many articles on the change to allow two children under the family planning policy. I didn’t attempt to collect them all but have a few of the ones I found most interesting here.

My Secret Life as a Forbidden Second Child in Foreign Policy magazine. This was well written and I think captures a broad range of views about the family planning policy from the Chinese point of view. I’m not sure why everyone is acting as if all of these problems are over now that people are allowed to have two children. Surely there will still be unplanned pregnancies that couples would like to keep, those who desire a specific gender, or just weirdos who think a 3rd child would be worth it. As far as I’m aware all of the mechanisms the Chinese government has in place will still be in effect for those who have more than two children.

China File asks Is It Too Late For A ‘Two-Child Policy’? This question and answer format looks at a variety of factors which you rarely see mentioned in western coverage on the change. At a time when urban dwellers frequently feel they can’t afford more than one child, it looks at the financial aspect of having a second child. Considerations regarding China’s aging population as well as pressures on women are also covered.

From Yahoo News, Chinese parents protest to get 2nd children registered  I have linked to articles before when explain the hokou system and how without registration children will be denied services such as education or medical care. It is only natural that after the policy change parents will went these rights granted to those who were born before the policy change. As to whether China will grant them remains to be seen.

The Scientific American article China’s Soot and Smog Put Babies at Risk has been circulating recently although it is from 2014. The article states that birth defects in China have increased 70%. Rates are higher in urban areas but some rural areas have higher rates depending on their industries. Shanxi Province and Shanghai are looked at specifically.

The photo essay Married Young at China File shows young couples from Yunnan Province where young marriages have made a comeback in some villages. Brides as young as 13 are profiled. The practice seems linked to the migrant worker movement.

Adopting Jia Jian – I write about Jia Jia on a previous What I’m Reading. CNN had done a profile on children in China with disabilities and had featured Jia jia at that time. Within hours of the story, his adoption was fully funded. Jia Jia was at our consulate appointment with his new family. We were at the consulate with Love Without Boundaries’ Yong for our previous adoption. How wonderful to be able to see the children advocated for online be able to find families!

Lisa at Seriously Blessed will be traveling soon to adopt two more children into their large family. She writes about why their large family is NOT the same as an orphanage.

On the Holt Blog, one family’s story in saying yes to a boy after waiting months to be matched to a girl.

Joyful Journey Mom has compiled the ultimate list of grants and resources for families with special needs children. These resources are for AFTER the child is home, helping with medical expenses or respite care not grants for adopting a child with special needs.

Finally, here is a 10 minute promo for Children of the Moon, a look at albinism in China.