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Chinese parents face obstacle to having a second child: their first

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China’s two-child policy came into effect in January 2016. Photo: Reuters

Families who want a second child following the relaxation of the mainland’s birth control policies face an unexpected challenge: how to persuade their first child to accept a brother or a sister.

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One evening two months ago, Beijing mother Yu Nan and her son Le Le, 4, were playing in their living room when Yu decided to ask the question that had been on her mind for days.

“Le Le, do you want a younger brother or sister?” Yu asked.

“No, I don’t,” Le Le replied, without missing a beat.

“Why? He could play with you. Wouldn’t that be a good thing for you?” asked Yu, doing her best to encourage him.

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“I don’t need one,” he insisted. “I already have friends in the kindergarten and neighbourhood.”

Her son’s answer was enough to make Yu re-examine her desire.

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