Final answer:
The claim about China's one child per family policy being a maladaptive custom is false. Although the policy had far-reaching implications and controversial outcomes, it was designed to control rapid population growth and was not intrinsically maladaptive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that China's policy of one child per family is an example of a maladaptive custom is False. This policy was instated in 1979 as a response to the concerns over rapid population growth that could outpace economic and environmental resources. While the policy had a significant demographic impact, reducing potential population growth by hundreds of millions and altering the age and gender distribution within the country, it also led to unintended consequences. These included a cultural preference for male children, resulting in sex-selective abortions and instances of female infanticide. Despite the negative effects, the policy was initially supported by a large portion of the Chinese population, and exceptions were allowed for various groups, leading to about half of Chinese parents being able to have a second child. The one-child policy was adjusted in 2016, reflecting the government's acknowledgment of the issues it presented.