The one child policy results in the spoiling of the only child, such as shielding him or her from the outside world.
An article in the Fujian Daily quoted psychologists’ warning that over-protection would actually harm the children, and they also called for the strengthening of children’s capability to cope with frustrations and pressures.
The suicides of two children in Shanxi and Nanjing not only raise the question of whether parents have added too many pressures to their children's lives, but also whether children in China are psychologically too weak to face challenges.
Psychologist Liu Huizhen says that teenagers are not tough enough to face pressures, difficulties and criticism. Therefore, there is a need for parents and schools to strengthen children’s problem-solving and coping skills . The psychologist has suggested that parents should spend more time to communicate with their children, so that they can understand what their children need.
(China Radio International July 19, 2002)
