Don't deny kids their childhood

Among the 10 typical cases of violation of minors' legitimate rights and interests in Jiangsu province, four are related to minors' education. In today's fast changing and increasingly materialistic society, parents and teachers push children very hard to score excellent marks in exams and, in the process, violate minors' rights. It's another matter that they put pressure on the children with good intentions, says an article on gmw.cn. Excerpts:

A four-year-old child was beaten to death by his father in Jiangsu province recently because he could not write the numbers five and eight. The man's sudden fit of rage has cost him and his wife their son and ended what could have been a happy family.

Children in most families today face the pressure of education from a very early age. Parents have developed a tendency to compare their children to those of others - neighbors', relatives' and colleagues', for instance. As a result, children are under constant pressure to excel in everything they do - almost from the time they learn to speak till the time they enroll in a university. Childhood is no longer the most beautiful time of a human being's life; it has become just another chapter in an individual's life with all its sufferings and bitterness.

Indeed, some "tiger parents" have succeeded in charting the success of their children in the field of education. But that does not mean that every family should follow their example, because once such a method fails, it will not only leave an indelible mark on the child's life, but also leave the parents frustrated and defeated.

All parents should endeavor to provide their children a happy childhood. They should respect the individual interests and hobbies of their children without trying to justify their actions on the pretext that "it is for the good of the children", because what the children need most is happy and healthy growth.

The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.