This paper analyzes the background and purposes of the girl-exception birth planning policy（i.e.，if the first child is a daughter，the couple is allowed to have a second birth in rural areas；it is also called the 1.5-child policy），assesses its unexpected consequences，and provides suggestions for dealing with these consequences from the perspectives of gender and social policy. The 1.5-child policy，implemented in over 56 percent of the total population in China，has substantially affected the reproductive norms and behaviors of the Chinese population. It is related to the highly skewed sex ratio at birth. In the context of strong son preference in the countryside and the context of somewhat conflicting social policies relevant to gender equality，the 1.5-child policy has further reinforced son preference. To alleviate the abnormal sex ratio at birth more effectively，it is necessary to reform the current birth planning policy，and coordinate various social policies that may conflict with each other in relation to gender equality.