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A case study entitled 'Too Many in the Family', is presented in the 'Chinese Family Matters' section of Voices & Values: Citizenship in Asia (pp 29-30). The case study explores how an important national issue such as population growth impacts on citizens, and looks at the type of laws created to enforce government policy.

The following activity is designed to invite you to investigate some of the background and on-going impact of China's One Child Policy on its citizens.

There are two parts to this task:

1. Investigation of China's One Child Policy
   
2. Designing a Website: 'China: The One Child Family'

1 Investigation of China's One Child Policy

• What have been the changes or developments in the policy? Draw up a timeline.
  
• What changes have happened in families as a result of the policy?
  
• Has the policy been successful in controlling China's population growth?
  
• What are some different opinions people hold about the policy?
  
• Does the policy operate differently in the country compared to the cities?
  
• Have there been any problems as a result of the policy?

Helpful Hints

• Use the Search Engines listed on the National Library of Australia's website as a starting point:
  http://www.nla.gov.au/pathways/pthw_global.html#sear
  
• Brainstorm search words that you think are the key words or phrases that will be useful in locating websites to answer the set tasks.
  
• Use all lower case letters in your queries.
  
• Examine only the first ten results for each search word or phrase. Rate each website on a scale of usefulness.

1	2	3	4	5
useless information	poor/limited information	some relevant information	very good information	excellent information

• Bookmark useful websites.
• Download any relevant information.
  
• Add to, delete or adjust your search criteria as you go, for example you may find the policy referred to as 'population control' or 'family planning' and so on.
  
• Access to statistics may be particularly important in your search.
  
• Use the 'Search Help' links on the search engines to improve your research skills.

Research Recording Table

Draw a table like the one below in your workbook and keep track of the results of your searches and any good website features you encounter.

	Search Word	Best Website(s) for Information	Rating Score	Good Site Features
1 2 3 4 5 6

2 Designing A Website: 'China: The One Child Family'

• Compile a list of the best features you found in your web searches and discussed in class. Note which features you would like to use in designing your website.

• Design a website framework to present your information on China's One Child Policy. Use some or all of the features in your list to enhance the website.