National Geographic Chinas Lost Girls (2004)

National Geographic Ultimate Explorer host Lisa Ling examines the consequences of Chinas twodecadesold onechild policy designed to curb the countrys exploding population Due to cultural social and economic factors traditional preference leans toward boys so girls are often hidden aborted or abandoned As a result tens of thousands of girls end up in orphanages across China Today more than one quarter of all babies adopted from abroad by American families come from Chinaand nearly all are girls Ling joins some of these families as they travel to China to meet their new daughters for the first time Along this emotional journey she shares in the joy of these growing families and also witnesses firsthand Chinas gender gap its roots and its possible repercussions Join Ling as she explores the many complex issues surrounding Chinas attempt to slow its swelling tide of humanity