Different Children’s Treatment in America and China

My childhood full of homework, it is a natural phenomenon in China. Do American children coping with their homework every day? Or do they just enjoy their childhood without any boring homework? I observed some American children and it makes me know what are different between Chinese children and American Children.

Carry and I been to professor Luo’s home several days ago, professor Luo is a American citizen of Chinese origin, his daughter was born in America and is 13 years old. There are certain phrases that people frequently use to define the Chinese-American identity. The two most commonly heard terms are "ABC", meaning an American-born Chinese, and "banana". The former is often considered an acceptable label for people of Chinese descent born in the US. The second term, banana, is usually regarded as derogatory or offensive, and it refers to someone who is "yellow" on the outside but "white" on the inside. Professor’s daughter got good achievements in study, sport and clarinet. But at some time, his daughter always has independence opinion and does anything her want, which violates her parents’ standpoint. Such like watch TV and play video games. That is definitely different from the children who living in China, most of children are limited to watch TV and play games, because they have a large number of homework, and their parents rare to listen to their opinions.

On Halloween, American children always dress up interesting costumes to their neighbors’ home to ask some candies. If their neighbors refuse to give them candies, children maybe give neighbors’ some tricks. That is never being happened in China, because children should just follow adults and could not ask for something without their parents’ permission.  It is misbehavior to ask for something from adults except parents.

In words, American children could enjoy their childhoods and be respect on their opinions, while Chinese children could enjoy homework and just follow their parents. In fact, Chinese society and cultural standpoint make our life full of challenge and competition since we were born. Taking a long view for children, Chinese parents do their best to protect their children that prohibit children to do something dangerously, and encourage and require children do more homework and learn some specialties.

Marriage in China

     In Confucian thought, marriage is of significance both to families and to society.

     From the perspective of a Confucian family, marriage brings together families and continues the family line of the paternal clan. This is generally why having a boy is more important than a girl when giving birth. Therefore, the benefits and disadvantages of any marriage are important to the entire family, not just the individual couples. Socially, the married couple is thought to be the basic unit of society.

    The modern Chinese marriage is becoming more and more same like American marriage. But maintain the most of traditional way.

Guanxi and Election

     Guanxi is a central idea in Chinese society; it describes the basic dynamic in personalized networks of influence. An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. The “Guanxi” meet “Election” in China that is a special and interesting cultural phenomenon.
    “Guanxi” literally means "relationships", stands for any type of relationship in China. It is a very useful social resource owned by people. If you have a good “Guanxi”, you can solve problem and do anything easily. If you do not have any “Guanxi” and do not know the method to build the “Guanxi”, it is difficult for you to living and run business in China.
    At same time, “Guanxi” effect on “Election”. Chinese have the right to vote candidates of government, and most of candidates have a great “Guanxi” which makes Chinese people to vote them. Most of candidates are respected by people because they have great “Guanxi”, and great “Guanxi” means great quality.
    In words, “Guanxi” is the special and interesting cultural phenomenon in Chinese election.

Hmong in China

In China, Hmong is called Miao. Miao is one of ancient ethnic groups in China; it has more than 2000 years’ history. Do you know what had happened to them in ancient China? Do you know what are happening to them now?  I will tell you following.

 

As one part of Chinese Nation, Miao history could date back 2000 years ago. In fact, about 300 years ago, Conflict between Miao groups and newly arrived settlers increased, under repressive economic and cultural reforms were taken by the Qing Dynasty. This led to armed conflict and large-scale migrations continuing into the late 19th century, the period during which most Hmong people immigrated to Southeast Asia. The process began as early as the late-17th century, before the time of major social unrest, when small groups went in search of better agricultural opportunities.

Since 1949, Miao has been an official term for one of the 55 official minority groups recognized by the government of the People's Republic of China. The Miao live mainly in southern China, and we classify them to different kind of Miao because their different custom and dress(e.g. Flower Miao, White Miao, Black Miao, Long Skirt Miao, Short skirt Miao etc.).According to the 2000 censuses, the number of Miao in China was estimated to be about 9.6 million. The number of Miao people is fifth large ethic of China. To be honest, Miao has more politic right and special treatment than our Han people, such as “one child policy” only strict effect on Han nationality while other ethnics group could have more children. And most famous “the policy of adding extra points in national examination for ethnic minorities,” this policy is good for ethnic youths to get good education, at same time, it is unfair to Han youths, but whole of Han people could understand and support our government about this policy. Most of the Miao and other ethnic minorities are treated as family members in China, so we believe we are Chinese and treat each other as family.

In words, we are critical of our government some aspects like contamination and social welfare, but in the way of ethnic policy, our authority did well. Because of the story of Kao Kalia Yang, I like Miao culture very much, it is an ancient, fascinating and international culture.

Notes: The data from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hmong_people,

http://baike.baidu.com/view/2725.htm

http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh/%E8%8B%97%E6%97%8F

http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/%E6%94%B9%E5%9C%9F%E5%BD%92%E6%B5%81

http://www.cal.org/co/hmong/hhist.html

http://www.hmonghome.com/