An Analysis of the Impacts of Universal Two-Child Policy on Urban Women’s Career Development in China: Taking 420 Professional Women in Shenyang City as the Sample

摘要

Since January 2016, the universal two-child policy has been implemented in China, which is of great significance for balancing the sex ratio of newborns, and alleviating labor shortages and ageing population. The implementation of the universal two-child policy has also had an important influence on the career development of urban women. Drawing from the investigation with 420 professional women in Shenyang city through the questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews, this article shows the positive and negative impacts of the new policy on urban women’s career development. The policy helps the women be more cautious with their career choices and encourages their career growth. However, due to the lack of relevant policies based on gender security, it makes the women’s employment situation more severe, their career development hampered, the contradiction between family and career more difficult to balance and so on. To alleviate these negative effects, we should construct a fair gender cultural pattern, strengthen legislation and improve the social security system of having a second child.