A Study On Predicament And Supporting Policies Of Aging Problem In Only-child Families In Aging Social Background Of Changzhou

Since the enforcement of only-child policy in the late 1970s, birth rate in China has experienced a sharp fall. Meanwhile, life expectancy has risen continuously. As a result, the trend of aging accelerates. Due to the influence of one-child policy, Chinese families become smaller, with more one-child families appear. This makes the supporting of aging people in one-child families become an increasingly severe social problem. Some elderly people are not too rich, and some are not well-prepared for becoming old. National pension security system and aging service are not highly developed. In addition, uniqueness of the single-child leads the Chinese aging problem to the following predicaments:heavy economic burden, lack of life care and spiritual consolation. When the only-child is disabled or dead, the elderly cannot maintain basic life, and their spiritual life is filled with long-lasting grief and emptiness. They cannot adapt to the society and support their basic life. Therefore, the government and society must take the responsibility to solve aging problem of single-child families.This paper takes questionnaires about aging problem of only-child families as research basis. The questionnaires were done around the whole city by Changzhou Health and Family Planning Committee in 2013. By analyzing basic information, economic situation, security condition, health and medical care, demand and supply of the aged, and current governmental supporting policies, this paper tries to study the current situation and needs of aging problem in Changzhou, and find out reasons that result in difficulties in aging problem. In order to achieve the goal of letting the elderly have someone to depend on, something to maintain their life, and something to enjoy themselves, the author outlines the framework of aging problem for common only-child families and families with disabled or dead only-child. The author also makes an analysis of factors that influence the aging problem in only-child families from governmental, social and personal perspectives. This paper gives five suggestions to improve the supporting policies for the elderly in only-child families. First, develop laws and regulations concerning the aging problem. Second, improve security system for only-child families. Third, establish rescue mechanism for families with disabled and death only-child. Fourth, develop aging service industries. Fifth, give the elderly self-supply guidance.