Final answer:
China implemented the one-child policy in 1979 to control overpopulation, leading to a reduction in birth rates but also causing social issues such as an aging population and gender imbalance. The policy was relaxed in 2016 due to its controversial impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
China's One-Child Policy
The policy created by China to manage the country's overpopulation issue was known as the one-child policy. Instituted in 1979, this policy was a direct response to the concern over rapid population growth. To enforce this policy, the government employed a combination of rewards and harsh penalties, with urban families facing fines if they had more than one child. The policy disproportionately affected rural areas, with practices like female infanticide and sex-selective abortions increasing due to a cultural preference for male children. Despite the policy's intent to curb population growth, it presented numerous social challenges and had controversial impacts on the Chinese society.
In 2016, China eventually relaxed this policy as leaders realized the implications it had on the demographic structure, particularly an aging population and gender imbalances. The one-child policy has been credited with reducing China's potential population by hundreds of millions, but also criticized for its coercive measures and negative societal effects. The Chinese government has explored alternative strategies to manage population growth while considering human rights and personal liberties.