Effect of single child family structure on communication processes

¶ … Child Family Structure on the Communication Process

"the family is an extraordinarily rich context or gathering information on human social behavior"

(Floyd & Haynes, 2005, p. 79).

During a hard-line speech in 1979, Deng Xiaoping initially stressed that China's one child policy be put into practice, Steven W. Mosher (2006), president of the Population Research Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, reports in the publication, "China's one-child policy: Twenty-five years later." By 1981, the one child policy had been implemented throughout China. The "technical policy on family planning," which followed two years later, is still in force today. The "technical policy" requires:

IUDs for women of childbearing age with one child, sterilization for couples with two children (usually performed on the woman), and abortions for women pregnant without authorization. (Mosher, 2006, A quarter century…section, ¶ 4).

Chinese government statistics report that by the mid-1980s, birth-control surgeries-abortions, sterilizations, and IUD insertions totaled approximately 30 million plus annually. Women who submitted to the majority of these procedures reportedly did so only because they were under duress (Mosher, 2006).

The government publication, "Profile series China: Family planning policy and practice in the People's Republic of China" (1995), published by the INS Resource Information Center, the agency also reports that the Chinese Government began advocating a one-child policy in 1979. This policy which encouraged all couples to have only one child, however, permitted particular couples, for example, couples with only one daughter, to have a second child, albeit with appropriate birth spacing. The policy nevertheless forbids third and higher-order childbearing. During 1984, in a statement noted as Document No. 7, the Party Central Committee set forth a modified policy of the one child policy. Although public sources have quoted or paraphrased particular parts of this document, the full text has reportedly not been published. The publicly-available provisions of Document No. 7 are said to "contain an interesting contradiction" as the "provisions call for the moderation of coercive tactics while requiring the attainment of the same population targets and the use of the same methods outlined in the 1983 policy" (Profile series China…, p. 3).

Hypothesis and Sub-Questions

The Hypothesis for the proposed study queries: How do the communication methods that children in single child families use compare to those of children in a multi-child family in China? The researcher plans to address the three following sub-questions to support the proposed study's hypothesis:

1. What concerns do some scholars, communication researchers and psychologists attribute to China's one-child policy?

2. What characteristics do children of single child families traditionally possess?

3. What characteristic do children of multi-child families traditionally possess?

During the proposed study, along with addressing the three sub-research questions, the researcher will relate the definitions of relevant terms and concepts.

Study Rationale

Along with numerous contradictions and misleading statements relating to the one child policy in China, a number of conflicting perceptions also encompass the perceptions regarding the impact of these policies, particularly on the "one child" resulting from the policies. Exploring how the communication methods that children in single child families use compare to those of children in a multi-child family in China, the researcher expects, will provide valuable information to proffer considerations for those in positions of power in China, as well as, children from single child and multi-children families.

NEED MORE PERSONAL INFO ADDED IN THIS SECTION WHEN REWORKED FOR FINAL PAPER.

B. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

For the proposed study, the researcher ascribes to the life-span developmental perspective.

Theoretical Perspective Characteristics

In "Theoretical Perspectives Relevant to Developmental Psychology," Linda M. Woolf (1998) reports that the following portray characteristics of the life-span perspective:

1. Criteria 1 -- holism: The whole person is perceived from a multidisciplinary perspective, including psychological, physiological, historical, sociological, and cultural factors.

2. Criteria 2 - contextual change: Development is considered an interaction of the individual within his/her context. For example, normative age-graded influences, normative history-graded influences, and nonnormative influences are all examined to study their effect on the individual. "These three influences have been used to account for the nature of life-span development, both its regularity and its multidirectionality, multidimensionality, and interindividual differences" (Woolf, 1998, Theoretical Perspectives section, ¶ 7),

3. Criteria 3 - qualitative and quantitative change: Change is simultaneously viewed as evolving from both differences in kind and degree. For example, in childhood, memory may be qualitatively different yet in adulthood, be quantitatively different.

4. Criteria 4: - continuity and discontinuity: Because of the previously noted three influences on development, change is also perceived as continuous and discontinuous.

5. Criteria 5 - no stages: The concept of stages is not inherent to the developmental dimensions and life-span perspectives. Instead, chronological age, cohorts, and life transitions, are utilized as descriptive dimensions (Woolf, 1998).

The following five developmental issues, Woolf (1998) explains, constitute components of the life-span developmental perspective:

1. The perspectives are holistic. Behaviors are seen as part of a whole system.

2. & #8230;Change is seen neither as due to changes in structure or external forces. Rather, change is in response to the interaction of the individual and the context.

3. & #8230;Change occurs in both differences in degree and differences in kind; both qualitatively and quantitatively. This change is dependent on the asynchronies between the individual and the context.

4. & #8230;As change is both qualitative and quantitative, it is also both continuous and discontinuous.

5. & #8230;The concept of stages is not relevant to this perspective except descriptively. No universal stages are defined as the interaction of individual and context is continuously changing. (Woolf, 1998, Theoretical Perspectives section, ¶ 6)

According to Woolf (1998), the life-span perspective proves consistent with the contextual world view.

For the proposed literature review, the researcher plans to implement a thematic organization of the literature. The following three themes identify those to be investigated during the forthcoming literature review:

1. China's One-Child Policy Concerns

2. Children of Single Child Families

3. Children of Multi-Child Families

China's One-Child Policy Concerns

One reason for the one-child policy evolved from the desire to ensure China's population does not expand to the extent that it becomes impossible to take care of each a person. The article, "Putting the brakes on reproduction," (2004) published in Canada and the World Backgrounder, asserts that the "one-child policy," aimed at encouraging couples to have a single baby simultaneously advocated for a couple to delay both marriage and child bearing" (¶ 3). Although not formally written into law, many families do not object to this policy and believe it does proffer advantages, including economic perks, educational advantages and social enhancements. As it costs less to raise one child, a family saves money. The one child may also reportedly obtain a better education, as it is less difficult to educate one child. In the social realm, officials claim the program "has prevented 300 million births and has headed off food shortages and starvation. And, it will foster a less populous future: by the end of the 21st century, some expect the population to drop to as little as 700 million" (Putting the brakes…, 2004, ¶ 4). The one child policy reportedly contends that a better life would be likely to follow if China does not become overpopulated.

Chinese tradition encourages children to take care of their parents when they are elderly. Most couples prefer s son as a daughter joins her husband's family when she marries. The one child policy has forced families to face heart-wrenching decisions. Frequently, when a woman becomes pregnant with a girl, she may have the female fetus aborted.

Children of Single Child Families

China's one-child policy has led to a generation of "Little Emperors," spoiled by doting parents and grandparents. They are members of what is known as "one-mouth, six-pocket" families (two parents and four grandparents]. There are more than t00 million of them, forming what one writer described as the largest Me Generation ever. Some studies have shown that these children are less interested in tradition than their elders, so the whole notion of having sons to look after parents in their old age could backfire (Putting the brakes…, 2004, Spoiled children section, ¶ 1).

Some experts contend the one child policy has birthed a generation of "Little Emperors" as their families reportedly spoil the one child. Still others perceive that the current generation may possibly constitute the largest ever group of the "ME generation" because of these "one-mouth, six-pocket" families (two parents and four grandparents)" (Putting the brakes…, 2004, Spoiled children section, ¶ 1). A concern related to spoiling the one child contends that this practice may contribute to them becoming so self-centered may contribute to the demise of the tradition of taking care of parents when they are older. A number of studies have also suggested that although these spoiled children may appear to be somewhat lazier than children from a multi-family home, they still display independent traits and possess similar views on marriage and family as their parents. Some researchers report that when compared to children with siblings, the children from one-child families appear more intelligent due to the fact they may more frequently play and spend more time with their parents. The attitude of being the "Little Emperor." Albeit, normally disappears by the time the child from the one child family begins working when an adult.

Child psychologist David Elkind Ph.D. (2009), Professor Emeritus of Child Development at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, asserts in the article, "The only child," that many of the currently adolescent singletons regularly presenting with a variety of social and behavioral problems (¶ 1). This social policy counters the Chinese tradition which encourages a family to have many children, especially boys. This policy, along with Chinese traditions attributes to the fact that children are deemed valuable. In turn, family members tend to overprotect and spoil the children from one-child families.

In any county, the family decision regarding how many children will be in the family may be complex. Elkind (2009) notes that in Western and other Asian countries, that the decision to have a single child often depicts a compromise between the couple's desire to have children and the conflicting desire to live a life style only possible without children. As parental motivations and attitudes for having only one child prove complex, little consensus exists as to the consequences of being an only child.

In the journal publication, "The social impact of China's one-child policy," Dr. Xuefeng Chen (N.d), Deputy Director of the Chinese Children's Center in Beijing, noted the three discrete discrepancies exist between only children and children with siblings.

1. Children with siblings often exchange amongst each other their respective academic and social experiences -- an advantage that single-children lack.

2. Single-children tend to be dominated more by self-seeking instincts, commanding more attention in their individual homes.

3. Because parents tend to treat their single-child the way standard parents treat their first-born (with more vigilance and care due to inexperience), single-children will generally be more reliant on their parents and less independent. (Chen, N.d, p. 75)

The impact of the three previously listed differences, albeit, may not make China's only-children a selfish and socially-awkward generation, Chen (N.d) stresses. Only-children in China also frequently exhibit numerous positive attributes. Some research indicates that only children reflect greater leadership skills and display more positive behaviors in school. On the other hand, some feel that having siblings creates positive attributes in children. Not having siblings, however, does necessarily mean not the lack of siblings will hinder the child's development.

Some researchers suggest that parents of single children are more protective therefore their children prefer group-oriented activities. "Compared to children with siblings of the same age, Chinese single-children have shown superior overall academic performance. What is more, & #8230;there is actually very little disparity in the intrinsic nature of social skills between only-children and non-only-children" (Chen, N.d, p. 75). Even though the overwhelming attention children in one child homes may appear to contribute to these children being more emotionally secure and confident, contrary to conventional beliefs, research purports little difference exists in the social skills between only children and children with siblings.

Chen (N.d) explains that single-children appear more inclined to converse with their parents and, in turn, often display greater confidence and versatility when communicating. Others in China who believe the implementation of the Single-Child Policy potentially generates anxiety and discontent for multiple children families. This discontent could contribute to negative consequences in regard to the balanced status-quo. As yet, however, no proof that such families are widespread in China has been confirmed.

Li Fenhua, Chinese scholar, according to Chen (N.d) argued that instead of the parents' childbearing nature serving to impact the children, the parents' educational background actually influences the growth of their children. "In other words, the most important factors in any child's development are not whether they have a brother or a sister, but whether their parents have a good education and adopt the right values for the family" (Chen, N.d, p. 75).

As single-children may be deprived of childhood experiences similar to those their mothers and fathers experienced, many single children may not have a means to channel their stress, as those with a close sibling-confident may have, which could contribute to long-term stress-related problems. In addition, the type of pressure parents typically place on only children could lead to irrevocable consequences. Chen (N.d.) assert that gradual communication and societal modifications, for instance, increased organized social affairs, may be required to ameliorate these type issues.

Children of Multi-Child Families

In the study, "The one-child family in China: The need for psychosocial research," C.C. Ching, (1982) identifies some of the economic incentives the Chinese government givs to couples having only one child. The perks include free medical care, health care funds, as well as, free kindergarten and schooling. When parents agree to have only one child, they also receive a bonus when the child is born and then receive a monthly stipend until the child's 14th birthday. One survey, the Beijing Normal University conducted, found that in intellectual development and in health, only children tend to appear superior to multiple children. Conflicting results, nevertheless, have been found from comparative studies of personality and behavior of kindergarten age only children and other children.

The oldest child in the multi-children family appears to be the family's most goal oriented and driven child. While the majority of astronauts and surgeons are most likely first-borns, the last-born children tend to be more social and outgoing. "Middle children tend to be the most rebellious. Within this framework, the only child is said to have some of the achievement orientation of the oldest child and the social self-confidence and skills of the youngest" (Elkind, 2009, ¶ 3). These effects, however, may differ and are contingent on the sex of siblings, as well as the age division between the siblings.

Sing Lau (1996) asserts in the book, Growing up the Chinese way: Chinese child and adolescent development, that in terms of the peer evaluations of their social behavior, only children may be at a severe disadvantage. With no exceptions, in the study noted by Lau, "the comparisons between onlies and others indicated that onlies were problematic: specifically, they found to be low in cooperation with peers and peer prestige and high in egocentricism, as seen by their peers" (Lau, p. 269). The poor performance of only children, Lau contends, evolves from the excessive indulgence of their parents. Children meriting the most negative peer evaluations tended to come from nuclear-one-child families. Those children receiving the most positive evaluations most likely came from three-generational multi-child families.

Communication Considerations

Yang Lin and Andrew S. Rancer both of the School of Communication, the University of Akron and Qingshan Kong (2007), Department of Diplomacy, School of Law, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, report in the study, "Family communication patterns and argumentativeness: An investigation of Chinese college students," Chinese students from consensual and pluralistic families tend to be more argumentative than those student from protective families. No significant difference in argumentativeness reportedly exists among students from consensual, pluralistic, and laissez-faire families. Table 1 portrays a two-dimensional model of family communication patterns concept-oriented communication, which in turn, contributes to the children's communication capabilities.

Table 1: Family Communication Patterns (Lin, Rancer & Kong, 2007, p. 125).

Dimension

Concept-oriented

Communication

(High)

(Low)

(High)

Consensual

"… families stress both types of relations."

Protective

"… families stress social-relations at the expense of concept-relations."

Social-oriented

Communication

(Low)

Pluralistic

"…families emphasize the development of strong and varied concept-relations in an environment comparatively free of social restraints."

Laissez-Faire

"…families emphasize neither type of relation."

According to Carolyn M. Anderson, School of Communication, University of Akron, Matthew M. Martin, Communications Studies Department, West Virginia University and Mei Zhong (1998), Journalism and Mass Communication Department, Iowa State University, in the study, "Motives for communicating with family and friends: A Chinese study," competent com-municators not only have responsive and assertive skills, they exhibit flexibility when they utilize the skills. Competent communicators also communicate "from affection, pleasure, and inclusion needs more often than noncompetent (low assertive, low responsive), submissive (low assertive, high responsive), and aggressive (high assertive, low responsive) communicators" (Anderson, Martin & Zhong, p. 115). Aggressive communicators, on the other hand, more likely communicate from control needs, while noncompetent com-municators tend to communicate to escape. In their second study, a content analysis, Anderson, Martin and Zhong (1998) found that due to their similarity in personality and interests, expres-siveness in communicating feelings, pleasure, and affection, individuals from China more frequently communicate with best friends from their needs for inclusion. (Anderson, Martin & Zhong, 1998, p. 109).

Kory Floyd and Mark T. Haynes (2005), both of Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University, assert in the study, "Applications of the theory of natural selection to the study of family communication," that Darwin's (1859) theory of natural selection best describes the way families interact and communicate. Contrary to the life-span developmental perspective and other theories, Floyd and Haynes argue, Darwin's theory of evolution by means of natural selection (TNS) may be utilized to explain "multiple aspects of relational development, maintenance, and interaction in a variety of family relationships" (Floyd & Haynes, p. 80). Despite the parents' best intentions, parents of multiple children may not invest equally in each of their children. Ample evidence, according to Floyd & Haynes, depicts that parents of multiple children discriminately invest in them and give more resources to those children most likely to contribute their genetic materials to their succeeding generations.