"Is it possible," the American tourist said, "that China's one-child policy is producing a generation of Spoiled Children? The parents work hard all day, the four grandparents tend and dote on their one grandchild. What happens to children raised in such an environment, where their every whim is met?"
You decide:
Setting: busy, bustling airport teeming with thousands of travelers for Chinese New Year
Characters: Allen, seated, is comparing IPad apps with another lady - Alethea
Action: Six year old Adorable Boy Child comes in left. Tries to grab IPad out of Allen's hands. Allen smiles, resists. I laugh. ABC (adorable boy child), with Allen still holding IPad, aggressively pushes home key button, scrolls through home screens to find games. ABC then proceeds to play "Angry Birds." As Allen tries to show him something, Adorable Boy Child pushes Allen's hands away. Adorable Boy Child's Father and Mother watch adoringly. ABC continues to play, but pushes Allen's hand away any time Allen ventures to do something with his own IPad. Finally Allen shows ABC another game, ABC grabs IPad and plays new game for long time.
Action - Part Two: Evenutally, Allen, after a long time of patiently letting ABC play, tells ABC, "Okay, that's it." Allen turns off IPad. ABC tries to grab it out of Allen's hands. Parents watch adoringly, laughing. ABC is not successful, so he grabs for Alethea's IPad. She firmly resists saying, "NO!"
Action - Part Three: ABC leaves momentarily, then returns grabbing for Allen's IPad. Parents watch adoringly, smiling. I'm smiling, laughing at the CHUTZPAH of the ABC (Adorable Boy Child), who hangs around waiting for just the right moment to take hold of the IPad again.
And, we are all left wondering about the question the tourist asked....is China's one-child policy producing spoiled children?
Holy cow! That sounds like the type of kid on the TV show SuperNanny. Jo Frost needs to come to the rescue.
ReplyDeleteDad was way more gracious than most people would have been. He's such a good, good man.
I don't believe this is a result of the one child policy. In chinese culture, they believe that a child's young life should be free of distress because when they get older they have to work hard and won't be able to enjoy a carefree life ever again.
ReplyDeleteI have dealt with children professionally for many years. I have seen all kinds of parenting. In this case the parents have not taught the children to respect the rights and space of others. If one does not teach that in the early years, it will be difficult to correct in later years. Sometimes our affluence gets in the way of good behavior.
ReplyDeleteI think that parents who can't tell their children no are seriously handicapping them for life.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is throwing a wrench in the parenting stereotypes I've been mulling over after hearing about the new book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother".
ReplyDeleteThis kid sounds like a spoiled American brat! Lay off the iPad kid! (that should have been a direct quote from the parents).
Malcolm Gladwell says that many parents indulge a little misbehavior in favor of the child gaining self confidence. Perhaps this child will become the CEO of a multimillion dollar corporation.....either that or a thief behind bars.
ReplyDelete