With the world population now at 6 billion, the topic of overpopulation is becoming increasingly important. The planet cannot absorb an infinite number of humans, and steps need to be taken to combat unchecked growth. The thesis begins with a discussion of the problems currently manifesting themselves, including land degradation, water supply loss, farmland appropriation for living space, overfishing, and unequal food distribution. The thesis considers the population policy of China, long criticized by the West for its unusual harshness. In studying its history, though, it can be seen why the Chinese government felt radical steps were necessary. India's policy over the last few decades is also examined. In this case, early excesses on the government's part led to public unpopularity for the whole population control concept. Despite this, positive steps have been taken in several areas. The current availability of food and farmland in both states is studied to determine what environmental and nutritional effects the respective population policies have had. Comparisons are made between the two in an effort to gauge their relative success and to attempt to draw any lessons for either China or India.

xi, 94 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Implemented as one of the basic national polices of China since 1978, the one-child policy has brought both advantages and disadvantages to one-child families in urban China. This thesis explores the various consequences of current family planning practices in urban Dalian. It explains the ways in which the implementation of the policy has influenced urban one-child families' everyday life and how parents and single children handle the policy. Urban parents have accepted the state requirement for limited births and have adopted new child-rearing practices to raise their "only hope" in the changing socioeconomic context. Single children receive comprehensive parental attention and support and are widely considered as spoiled "little emperors/empresses". But at the same time they experience great pressure to perform with academic excellence in order to be capable to excel in the competition of the global market economy. Gender norms are in transition. Urban single daughters are empowered by the benefits brought by low fertility produced by the policy. As the first generation of single children grows up, their families are now confronted with the crucial issue of the "four-two-one" (four grandparents, two parents, one child) problem, which impacts the future of the one-child policy. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Ina Asim, Chair; Dr. Kathie Carpenter; Dr. Alisa Freedman