What penalties did some families face for having another child without government approval?

To enforce the one-child policy, the Chinese government utilized a range of measures against families who violated the restriction. These enforcement methods included:

• Economic and Administrative Sanctions: Authorities imposed various economic penalties and other sanctions on those who did not comply with the policy.1
• Forced Medical Procedures: Particularly during the early 1980s, the government invoked severe measures, including forced abortions and forced sterilizations, primarily targeting women.123
• Undocumented Status: Families who had additional children often kept these births hidden from authorities. These undocumented children subsequently faced significant hardships, as they struggled to access education and employment opportunities.12

While the government offered financial incentives and preferential employment to those who complied, the use of forced medical interventions represents a profound violation of reproductive autonomy and human rights.123