Cultural life

'Spoiled generation' paves way for new age parenting

By Guan Xiaomeng (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-14 17:00

Chen said on the bright side of being a young family the couple's parents are still young enough to care for their child. Her mother-in-law now looks after the baby during work days.

Although Chen doesn't worry about her child while she is in the care of her grandmother, she sees parenthood a lot different to her older generations.

"What I learnt [about parenthood] is how to be more efficient and scientific," says Chen, who believes the older generations' beliefs in educating need to be altered and modernized as every child is unique and thus requires a different approach.

Throughout her pregnancy Chen read many early education books, filled with scientific and medical research and useful tips. "Among the wealth of information, I can pick up what I need specifically for my child."

She believes having a close and loving relationship with children is more important than "spoon-feeding education", which appears to make children feel superior.

"Some of my [older] colleagues sent their children to various training classes when the children were very young, but I can't see anything different in their children."

The young mother planned not to make her daughter spend all her time studying. "I am happy if my daughter learns the basics I teach her, and then we can just spend most of the time playing and having fun together," she said.

Jiang Yao, a 27-year-old middle school teacher, who is expecting her baby later in July, agreed, saying she would raise her child differently to those of older generations.

"My students, the post 90s, are a group of spoiled and difficult children. I won't be an old-styled mom and I won't bring my child up like that," said Jiang, explaining the more restriction, the more disobedience.

"My daughter will learn things quickly and will be encouraged to think for herself," said young mother Chen, who is determined to give her daughter freedom so she can grow into her own person.

When the offspring of the post-80s grow up, they may find an old-styled family education has passed into history.