Parents' losses compounded by China's one-child policy

China's one-child policy, implemented in 1979, has blocked 400 million births
Schools collapsed on thousands of children Monday when the quake hit

China's one-child policy magnifies the loss parents are feeling after learning their child died in the earthquake.
The grim ritual repeated itself Thursday across southwestern China, as thousands of mothers and fathers await news about their sons and daughters. The death toll from Monday's massive earthquake could be as high as 50,000, according to state-run media.

The grief is compounded in many cases by a Chinese policy that limits most couples to one child, a measure meant to control explosive population growth. As a result of the one-child policy, the quake -- already responsible for at least 15,000 deaths -- is producing another tragic aftershock: Not only must thousands of parents suddenly cope with the loss of a child, but many must cope with the loss of their only child.

China's population minister recently praised the one-child rule, which dates to 1979, saying it has prevented 400 million children from being born. Some wealthy families ignore the order, have more children and pay a $1,000 fine. In rural areas -- like earthquake-devastated Sichuan province -- families can petition for an additional child, but there's no guarantee the authorities will approve the request -- they usually don't.

Thousands of children were in class when the temblor hit Monday afternoon. Many of their schools collapsed on top of them. In Dujiangyan City, more than 300 students were feared dead when Juyuan Middle School collapsed with 900 students inside. A similar number died at the city's Xiang'e Middle School. Now parents cluster outside collapsed school buildings, held back by soldiers in some cases as rescue crews search for signs of life. Many are missing at a middle school in the city of Qingchuan. The scene is devastating at Juyuan Middle School, where sorrow seems endless.

CRITICISM - This shows how China policy makers are working for the growth of the nation rather than personal growth. As parents who lost their kids in the disaster complaining about the one child rule, but even if they have more than one child can not save them from the disasters like this. Will India come up with policies like this to control their population bust.