You probably already know that China has a one child per couple
policy, but you might not know how it is enforced or who is
granted exceptions to the rule. The answers to these questions
can be found over at Mental Floss and they are simply
fascinating. Provincial governments are responsible for
enforcing the policy and do so through a mix of rewards and
punishments doled out by local officials. In most provinces,
having a an extra child gets you a fine, the amount of which
varies across provinces. In some places, the fine is a set
amount (usually in the thousands of dollars), and in others it’s
based on a percentage of the violator’s annual income. In some
provinces, policy violators can also have their property and/or
belongings confiscated and lose their jobs. Who knew they even
can fire you from your job for having an extra baby?