Because China's gender imbalance became a serious problem, many Chinese people began to prefer baby girls to boys. This change in preference completely overturned the traditional Chinese view that having sons is always the top priority in a family as they pass on the family name and watch over their parents as they age (Firth). Additionally, since the introduction of the one-child policy, parents are limited to one child in a family, with the exception of rural villagers who can have a son if the first child is a girl. , noting the . Combining the cultural preference for sons and the one-child policy, the female population declines significantly over time. Realizing the importance of women due to their shortage, parents begin to desire girls rather than boys. Additionally, because it recognizes the serious consequences that gender imbalance has and will cause, the Chinese government ultimately decides to relax the one-child policy. As China's gender imbalance becomes problematic due to lack of brides and trafficking of women, women become more valuable and their value is reflected in the female workforce and education. With the existing traditional preference for baby boys, the one-child policy also contributes to the problem of growing gender imbalance. Especially in rural villages, men are preferable not only because they continue the family lineage, but also because they are physically stronger and are expected to provide for their parents in their old age. “It is clear to me that having two Mr. Hudson, a... ... middle of paper ......al/alarm-in-china-over-a-high-gender-imbalance/article4332304.ece>.Lee, Kevin. “The Growing Problem of Too Many Single Men in China.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, May 13, 2011.Web.March 21, 2014..In Search of a China Girl. Real. Sophie Todd. BBC News/Filmmakers Library, 2008. DVDScutti, Susan. “The one-child policy is a big problem for China.” News week. Np, January 23, 2014. Web.01Apr.2014..Thomas, George. “China’s shortage of women fuels trafficking.” Christian Broadcasting Network. Np,02June2012.Web.21March2014..Wen, Tiffanie. “As China’s one-child policy eases, girls are no longer stigmatized.” (2014): no. page. Sun. February 16. 2014