“A sister is a gift for the heart, a friend for the mind, a golden thread for the meaning of life” (Garden Quote). This quote from Isadora James shows the importance of having siblings and large families, a lifestyle that China does not have. The one-child policy created many problems for China after it was created by the Communist Party to control population growth; However, China is taking steps to ease it, and more and more people are speaking out. The one-child policy has caused far more problems than it has solved. The restrictions that people have to follow cause many problems. One of the problems is that China will not relax its policies (Olesen 1). By limiting urban families to one child per family, China is attempting to conserve its natural resources and control the population (Olesen 1). This policy prevented more than 400 million births (MacLeod 1). Before conceiving, parents must obtain a birth permit from the government. Under the permit, married couples are allowed to have one child. If they want to have another one, they must apply for permission and follow certain regulations and conditions (Dewey 4). In China, families with more than one child are frowned upon. They pay higher tuition, higher daycare costs, higher tax penalties, and face discrimination (Dewey 5). Banners hung across the Chinese countryside read, “Give birth to fewer babies, plant more trees” and “If you give birth to more children, your family will be ruined” (Demick 2). Parents who give birth to more children could also be charged compensation for each child. On the other hand, families who follow the one-child policy receive preferential treatment in employment, housing, and maternity leave (Dewey 5). There are many regulations... middle of paper ...... “China may relax one-child rule; More children needed to work and care for the aging population. USA Today September 9, 2010: 1-2. ProQuest Journals. Internet. February 14, 2011. Marquand, Robert. “China faces the future as a country of boys.” Christian Science Monitor September 3, 2004: 1-3. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 14, 2011. Olesen, Alexa. “China sticks to one-child policy.” Indianapolis Star January 23, 2007: 1-3. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 14, 2011.- - -. “Report finds 13 million abortions per year in China.” Houston Chronicle July 30, 2009: 1-3. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. February 14, 2011.Garden Quote. Np, and Web. March 7, 2011. “1-7.” China's one-child policy does not violate human rights. Ed. David M Haugen. Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, August 1995. Web. February 14. 2011. .