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Xiao Ba Wang in Mainland
A typical xiao ba wang’s room(Barry Wu)
By Barry Wu
The problem of lenient parenting is more obvious in mainland China than in Hong Kong because of China’s one-child policy.
“Many parents on the Mainland put all their love on their only child,” said Feng Jingwen, a Year 1 exchange student from China studying Hotel and Tourism Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. “These children are known as the ‘xiao ba wang’ of the family.”
Literally, “xiao ba wang” means a little commandeering king. It implies that a child is self-centered and receives great care from his or her “courtiers”.
Said Ms. Feng: “These children can ask for whatever they want, provided that their parents can afford it.”
Ms. Feng claims that she is not a “xiao ba wang” specially “protected” by her parents. However, many of her friends are.
“One of my friends is very quiet at school, and she cries when scolded by teachers. I was just shocked when I visited her home. She shouted loudly at her parents, and her parents just allowed her to do so.”
In recent years, the examination period has become the most important season for parents.
“This is particularly the case for university entry exams. Parents think that this is a matter affecting the whole life of their children,” said Ms. Feng.
In fact, parents spend a lot of money to ensure their child’s well being.
According
to Ms. Feng, many parents rent a flat in the suburbs so their child
can have a conducive studying environment.
To make sure their child eats well, some parents go to the rented flat every day to cook for their children.
They also buy health supplements such as chicken essence, ginseng, Chinese herbs and vitamin pills.
“During this period, children vent their frustrations on their parents. Parents do not get angry because they do not want to affect their child’s mood,” she said.
During her 4 months here, Ms. Feng has observed that Mainland students in Hong Kong cannot live independently.
She said, “Many of us do not tidy up our rooms and never cook, because most of us do not need to do such things at home.”