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In a totalitarian society, the state claims the power to manipulate all institutions, including the family and institutions of religious worship. Despite China's much-discussed movement toward "market socialism," Beijing continues to use the coercive power of the state to regiment the most intimate areas of life.
The Communist government's one-child policy, which includes compelled abortion and involuntary sterilization, has resulted in a serious demographic imbalance. "Government figures show 117 boys are born in China for every 100 girls," noted a February 27 AP report. "In some rural areas, the ratio is approaching 150 boys for every 100 girls, leading to fears of a huge surplus of men who will be unable to find mates in coming decades."
Because rural Chinese culture places a high value on sons, Chinese parents, forbidden to have more than ...