Essay on “Two Child Norm” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Two Child Norm

China has long adopted a one-child norm and has practically controlled its population. In this respect, India has lagged behind.

India long adopted the general formula of a two child norm and coined several slogans in vernacular to impress illiterate people and those belonging to lower strata of society who generally have large families. However, India being a democratic set up, only persuasive and not coercive methods can work. Sanjay Gandhi tried to adopt the latter methods, but as we know, he got limited success only and they had to be dropped at last.

The Population Foundation of India has expressed concern in its annual report over female foeticide in 11 States including Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The national girl – boy ratio of 945 per 1000 in 1991 has slipped to 927 per 1000 in 2001. In Punjab it is less than 800 per 1000.

The Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government’s proposal to introduce two-child norm for legislators and members of Parliament must be considered highly prudent. MPs and MLAs being people’s representatives, must act as models to the people in the matter of family norm.

Some people feel that this proposal is brought with danger. They agree that if too much stress is laid on two-child norm, the incidents of female foeticide will increase in number and the girl-boy ratio will further widen against girls.

It is, however, for the government and the authorities that be to enforce the stringent laws against female foeticide and just for this apprehension, the noble idea of two child norm should not be withheld. In this respect, a leaf may be taken out of the highly literate society of Kerala where small family is the rule rather than the exception.