2. Home, before home

What led to Eva being adopted by a British family, after she was born in China in 2000?

Eva explores the social, political and cultural forces that shaped her life - and the lives of millions of girls like her.

She discovers why the Chinese state limited the number of children each family was allowed, how the One Child Policy was enforced, and what its consequences were for society across China.

She learns how the ideas of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius led Chinese families to prefer sons rather than daughters. And looks at what factors led more and more western families to adopt Chinese babies, uncovering uncomfortable truths.

With journalist Barbara Demick; professor of sociology and China studies at SOAS University of London, Jieyu Liu; and professor of China studies at King’s College London, Kerry Brown.

This episode includes extracts from the following archive:

The Dying Rooms – directed by Brian Woods and produced by Kate Blewett. A True Vision production for Channel 4.

The Oprah Winfrey Show – produced by Harpo Studios.

A Patchwork of Lies – produced by The China Intercontinental Communication Centre

Writer, producer and presenter: Eva Brookes
Executive Producer: Peggy Sutton
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Jeff Emtman
Artwork: Ellie Walmsley
Assistant Commissioner: Prabhjit Bains
Commissioning Editor: Khaliq Meer

Made in China is a Reduced Listening Production with BBC Sounds Audio Lab.