EQ1 The hukou system Flashcards
What is the hukou system?
A household registration system that restricts internal migration in China.
What was the purpose of the hukou system introduced in the 1950s?
To keep people in rural areas.
What is required for rural migrants to change their official residence to a city?
They must be registered and buy an expensive permit.
Who typically receives permits for permanent migration under the hukou system?
Highly educated workers or those with family legally residing in the city.
What are two consequences for hukou workers without a permit?
- They earn less
- Their families have no entitlement to schooling or healthcare
What demographic makes up two-thirds of urban migrants in China?
Men.
What has been a significant economic change in China that affects the hukou system?
Dependence on manufacturing and service industries in cities.
What is one criticism of the hukou system?
It is expensive and unfair.
What is one advantage of the hukou system claimed by the Chinese government?
Chinese cities do not have sprawling slums like other countries.
Fill in the blank: The hukou system acts as a barrier to ________ for many Chinese.
[urban integration]
What happens to benefits such as education and healthcare if a person leaves a rural area?
They forfeit these benefits.
What type of schools do urban students attend?
State of the art schools with outstanding teachers.
What is the condition of rural children’s education?
They are subjected to deteriorating buildings and poor materials.
What is the level of medical care in rural areas?
Substandard level of care with few clinics.
What is a common issue faced by remote rural areas?
They can be cut off without paved roads and poor markets.
What do urban areas potentially offer that attracts migrants?
Greater job opportunities and higher salaries.
What is a consequence of a surplus of jobs in rural areas?
Very few jobs besides farming are available.
What is the economic status of a significant number of people living in rural areas of China?
Most live on less than $2 per day.
What happens to rural migrant workers without urban registration documents?
They are excluded from urban jobs.
What type of living conditions do migrant workers in urban areas commonly face?
Makeshift dormitories in buildings scheduled for demolition.
What is one impact of the hukou system on families that move to cities?
They often live without basic services and are denied access to city resources.
What social issue arises from parents migrating to cities for work?
A generation of children left behind.
