Final answer:
In today's China, the gender ratio is skewed with a reported birth ratio of 100 girls to 114 boys, or 46.7 percent girls. Factors contributing to this imbalance include the One-Child Policy and cultural preferences for male children. Challenges such as a surplus of males, increased crime and societal pressures have arisen due to this disparity.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Newsweek, while the natural ratio of girls to boys at birth is approximately 100:105, the gender ratio in China is skewed due to various factors including the now-abolished One-Child Policy and cultural preferences, leading to a birth ratio of 100:114, or 46.7 percent girls.
However, given the statistics from a study of 150 recent births where there are 60 girls and 90 boys born, this results in a percentage of 40% girls rather than the reported 46.7%. Thus, this study does not support the figure of 46.7 percent girls born in China as reported by Newsweek.
Factors like government policies, economic opportunities, and cultural attitudes have influenced gender imbalance in many regions. China's One-Child Policy, which was in place from 1979-2015, along with a cultural preference for male children, has led to a significant gender imbalance, where some regions are encountering a male surplus of more than 10% and potentially up to 25%. This has led to societal challenges, such as difficulties for men finding spouses and increased migration in search of partners. The policy's effect has also influenced the country's demographic structure, amplifying the percentage of males in the population.
The ramifications of China's gender disparity are profound, influencing social structures and leading to various social issues. For example, it is anticipated that by 2020, China could have approximately 30 million more men than women. This has potential consequences such as increases in crime, societal pressure on unmarried men, and unintentional acceleration in population growth despite government efforts to control it.