"China's Honor Code"
Los Angeles Times
Front Page
Apr. 15, 2006
Times Staff Writer: Mark Magnier
The LA times ran an interesting article about the changing family dynamic in China. Apparently the long running Chinese value or respecting ones elders has started to wear away and there seem to be many groups in China that are not at all pleased about it. Children, in some places, are now being penalized by public shaming, fines, and prison for not taking care of their parents. In a part of Shanghai: "Anyone who doesn't visit at least once every three months faces having his or her name posted on a community signboard." In another instance: "They would fine offspring $5 if they didn't invite their parents home for Chinese New Year." And the government, though they prefer some level of mediation, will allow children to be taken to court and put in jail. "Shirkers face five years in prison for failing to support or take care of their parents."
The article goes on to provide examples of children who have been sent to jail, been locked out of their own houses, and had various other penalties imposed up them. It also mentions events in which "good" children are rewarded, and describes state sponsored television programming and advertising geared at encouraging children to take care of their parents.
On the whole, I found the article very engaging; certainly unlike anything we would see back in the States where family values and traditions have been so severely diluted. Though some of it seems rather extreme, I find myself on the side of the punishers. Shame on those who refuse to support the two people who almost certainly supported and sacrificed so much for them. The fact that the family has been such a strong unit in Chinese culture for so long is an enchanting aspect of the mystique. I suppose all things come to an end, and conservative values in an increasing free society are certainly going to be hard to maintain.
An entertaining article though, providing a small window into Chinese culture from the Chinese perspective.
Front Page
Apr. 15, 2006
Times Staff Writer: Mark Magnier
The LA times ran an interesting article about the changing family dynamic in China. Apparently the long running Chinese value or respecting ones elders has started to wear away and there seem to be many groups in China that are not at all pleased about it. Children, in some places, are now being penalized by public shaming, fines, and prison for not taking care of their parents. In a part of Shanghai: "Anyone who doesn't visit at least once every three months faces having his or her name posted on a community signboard." In another instance: "They would fine offspring $5 if they didn't invite their parents home for Chinese New Year." And the government, though they prefer some level of mediation, will allow children to be taken to court and put in jail. "Shirkers face five years in prison for failing to support or take care of their parents."
The article goes on to provide examples of children who have been sent to jail, been locked out of their own houses, and had various other penalties imposed up them. It also mentions events in which "good" children are rewarded, and describes state sponsored television programming and advertising geared at encouraging children to take care of their parents.
On the whole, I found the article very engaging; certainly unlike anything we would see back in the States where family values and traditions have been so severely diluted. Though some of it seems rather extreme, I find myself on the side of the punishers. Shame on those who refuse to support the two people who almost certainly supported and sacrificed so much for them. The fact that the family has been such a strong unit in Chinese culture for so long is an enchanting aspect of the mystique. I suppose all things come to an end, and conservative values in an increasing free society are certainly going to be hard to maintain.
An entertaining article though, providing a small window into Chinese culture from the Chinese perspective.
posted by Lo-T | 6:04 PM
1 Comments:
Interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
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