A specialized security mechanism for one-child families who lost their children should be set up to solve the difficulties in their circumstances, says an article in The Beijing News. Excerpts:

Futian district in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, recently drew up a plan to pay 1,200 yuan ($193) to 1,500 yuan to every one-child family whose single child has passed away or suffered from disease. The practice sets an example for most other areas in China, where care and support provided to such "childless" parents are far from adequate.

Concerns have been raised over the difficulties of "childless" parents in their later lives, but for those couples who lost their only child in their middle age and are incapable of having another one biologically, they should also get subsidies from governments. These households have observed the country’s family-planning policy and should be rewarded for their sacrifices.

In addition, pensions and health care offer material support for the "childless" parents, yet it is hardly enough to heal the trauma of these families. They suffer not just economic difficulties, but emotional turbulence as well. Many couples were devastated after losing their only offspring in their lives, and they badly need emotional comfort.

In view of this, more therapy counseling centers are needed from institutions, governments and communities. A sound mental health rescuing mechanism should be developed specifically for such disadvantaged groups.

For the millions of families who have lost their only child, they have yet to receive adequate attention in the country for lack of a sound mechanism to do so. It is a pressing issue to build a customized security mechanism by providing financial and mental help, as well as assistance in their daily lives, to help these "childless" families walk out of the haze of dark clouds.

Translated by Dong Fangyu