The one-child policy was first introduced to reduce China's burgeoning population. According to the policy as it was most commonly enforced, a couple was allowed to have one child. If that child turned out to be a girl, they were allowed to have a second child. After the second child, they were not allowed to have any more children. In some provinces though couples were only allowed to have one child regardless of gender.(c) 2008 Jeffrey Hays
