What did the one-child policy meant to people in china and how was it enforced?

The one-child policy, implemented in China from 1979 to 2015, aimed to control population growth and promote economic development. It meant that most families were restricted to having only one child, leading to social and demographic shifts, including an aging population and gender imbalances due to a cultural preference for sons. Enforcement varied by region and included fines, economic incentives, and sometimes coercive measures such as forced abortions or sterilizations. The policy was relaxed in 2015 to allow for two children per family in response to demographic challenges.