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From: js2j@mhuxt.UUCP (sonntag)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Channel 13 documentary on China
Message-ID: <802@mhuxt.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Apr-85 09:54:35 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxt.802
Posted: Tue Apr 23 09:54:35 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Apr-85 03:11:54 EST
References: <748@mhuxt.UUCP> <5176@cbscc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 42

> 
> I'm sure there is no easy solution to the problem the Chinese
> face.  But it bothers me to see present the alternative (as if
> it were the only one) as "Malthus' solution", as if we had to
> choose between these two.

     Of course there are other solutions.  Seperating men and women
into seperate concentration camps would be one.  Having a major war
would probably help too.  I'm sure you could think of others, but I
haven't been able to think of any *superior* to what they are doing.
Can you?
> 
> Did the documentary bring out the fact that infanticide against
> female babies has risen dramatically because families are forced
> to have one child and most of them want that one to be a boy?
> Did it say what happens if the "8 months pregnant woman" can't
> be "convinced" to have an abortion?  Did it mention the economic
> sanctions imposed as penalties on families that have more than
> one child?  What really justifies the state in forcing parents
> not to have children they want?  

     Yes, no, I'm not sure.  The state's justification is that they
don't have a better way to avoid mass starvation.  What would justify the
state in pursueing a course of action which demonstratably leads to 
mass starvation?

> Is this really a "pro-choice"
> solution, Jeff?  

No.  I never claimed it was.

> I would hope a solution could be found that doesn't impose so
> much on human rights.  I would also hope that the blame for the
> problems of a large population would not be placed so easily
> on the backs of the poor families that want to have children.

     I wish there was one too.  I won't condemn the chinese government
for their solution unless I can think of a better one, though.
-- 
Jeff Sonntag
ihnp4!mhuxt!js2j
    "This statement is true."