That year, not only were there more scandalous stories on the streets, but slogans promoting family planning were also everywhere.
"A couple can only have one child."
"If you fail to bring someone into the fold when you should, it will implicate your entire family."
"Neutering should be performed 3 days postpartum after giving birth to a second child."
"Fewer births and better births contribute to the country."
"Boys and girls are both precious!"
"Fewer births, better births, a lifetime of happiness!"
As if overnight, slogans and mottos about family planning sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
Yu Yin vaguely remembered that in the 1970s, the policy of having fewer and better births was promoted, but it was only promoted and not enforced. Family planning was eventually established as a basic national policy and written into the constitution, I think it was in 1982, but I don't remember the exact date.
This has nothing to do with her; her son Shurui has had a vasectomy.
"Oh my god, I've been putting up slogans and posters all day, I can't even lift my arms anymore."
Me too.
After finishing their work, Yu Yin and Sister Wang sat down to rest for a while.
Yu Yin has been working for almost a year now. At work, she doesn't have any conflicts with her colleagues, but she also doesn't have any close friends. The only person she can chat with is Sister Wang. Due to her personality, Yu Yin doesn't force herself to socialize.
"There's going to be some trouble from now on."
"This time the measures are quite strong; it seems like it's not just talk."
Yu Yin couldn't reveal things that hadn't happened yet, such as that family planning would become a fundamental national policy and be enshrined in the constitution. The penalties for having more children than allowed would be severe, potentially leading to job loss…
"Yes, we've been promoting fewer births and better births before, with two children per family being just right. Now, the slogans emphasize that one child is enough, and that boys and girls are equal. It seems that we can't afford to be less forceful in this regard."
“It has nothing to do with us. My children all have to work, and the youngest is about to take the high school entrance exam. Your family is even worse; you already have four children, so it's impossible for you to have any more.”
Sister Wang has three children: one is a sophomore in college, one is in high school, and the other is about to take the high school entrance exam. Nowadays, people get married and have children early. Like Sister Wang, her four children were all in their early teens when they were already in college.
Unlike later generations, people marry late and have children late. Most are in their forties when their children are just starting elementary school. The long journey has only just begun; middle school and high school are incredibly demanding for parents. There are many news reports of young parents suddenly dying while helping their children with homework.
The two, indifferent to the situation, went home right at the end of their workday, carrying their belongings.
On the sofa in the living room, Auntie San was chatting with Grandma.
"Yinyin is back?"
"Yes, I just got off work. Is Auntie off today?"
"No, I left work early this afternoon because my workplace was promoting family planning. I was feeling uneasy, so I came to chat with your grandma for a while."
Yu Yin roughly knew what was going on. Shuqi's wife had recently found out she was pregnant, and was only about three months along. Her aunt was worried that she might have given birth to a girl, and the family planning policy was promoting the idea that one child per family was best.
"Third Aunt, please sit down first. I'm going upstairs to change my clothes."
Yu Yin went upstairs, leaving behind her third aunt who wanted to ask her some questions.
"You're worrying unnecessarily. Whether or not you can have a second child is a national policy. What's the use of your anxiety? You're only a few months along. Your unstable emotions can easily affect the pregnant woman's mood. You live under the same roof, so don't hurt each other's feelings."
Grandma Lu knew what Shuqi's mother was worried about, but what could she do? The baby was still in her belly; who knew if it was a boy or a girl? Besides, what difference would it make if it was a boy or a girl? Could she really count on a son?
“I know, but I can’t help worrying. What if Song Wei gives birth to a daughter, and the country doesn’t allow them to have more children? Wouldn’t that mean Shuqi’s lineage would end? What will happen to them when they get old? Who will take care of them?”
"When they get old, they still have the country, right? They have retirement pensions and houses, so what are they afraid of? If you raise a girl well, it's all the same; if you don't, your son will be useless too."
Grandma Lu's words did not ease Aunt Lu's mood. She wanted to ask Yu Yin if this matter was really impossible to handle.
Grandma Lu could tell that her third son's wife wasn't listening, so she didn't say anything more. She was about to become a grandmother herself, and if she said too much, the woman would just get annoyed.
"Yinyin, has your workplace also talked about family planning? Is there any room for easing the restrictions? Will it be like what was previously advertised, where two children per family is just right?"
As soon as Yu Yin came downstairs, Aunt Lu couldn't wait to ask.
"Third Aunt, our workplace also spent the whole afternoon on family planning matters, and we were so tired from putting up slogans that we could barely lift our arms. As for the chance of things easing up, it seems there's not much hope now."
"well……"
Aunt Lu sighed repeatedly. She already had the answer in her heart, but she clung to a sliver of hope, wanting to hear a different result from someone else. But reality was so cruel; why couldn't she give birth?
After hearing what she wanted to know, Aunt Lu hurriedly went back home without even staying for a meal.
"The guests have left?"
Aunt Hu heard the sound of the gate closing and came over to ask uncertainly.
"I'm leaving. I'm in a hurry to go home. I can't even go back after I finish eating."
Aunt Hu vaguely heard something about it, something related to the family planning policy being promoted outside. Sigh, if only her son were still alive, she could have just had one child. Aunt Hu wiped her eyes, deciding not to think about it anymore!
"Mom, what does 'have fewer children and plant more trees' mean? Does it mean we won't be allowed to have children anymore, but only to plant trees?"
Right after finishing his meal, he quickly asked his mother the question he had been thinking about all afternoon.
"The country has too large a population, so we encourage couples to have fewer and better children, preferably one. We are not against having children, just fewer."
"What if someone is a twin like us? Do we have to throw one away?"
Kuai Kuai still doesn't quite understand what it means to have a child.
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