world

Video of Chinese boy crying in snow sparks uproar

40 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2012 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

40 Comments
Login to comment

samantha, you mean you helped me define bigot some more-a so-called lady who lies and doesnt say what they mean, stuck-up and so on. And get over your saving the thousands with your nosey parker neighbour scam, youd say anything that would make you sound righteous, when your lying, as youve shown. There is a big difference between abuse and what was going on in this article. But I hope you enjoyed the chat.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tmarie- What cracks me up is that while these parents are spouting the virtues of running around semi naked in freezing weather, they themselves probably have more layers on than you have! Anyway, must dash! Time for my nightly romp in the garden dressed in ancient ritual thongs complete with tassles!

Haha!

Some of the schools I worked at would remove the heater from the room to punish the kids. No heater for a week. What kind of messed up mentality is that? Teachers would wear their winter jackets to teach and the kids would... freeze. Unfair and if anyone EVER tried that crap with my kid, there would be numerous phone calls and meetings until they got so sick of me they turned the heat back on!!

I am going for a run. In tights!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The good thing is that the Chinese are learning to put more value into human lives and welfare than what used to be. Since this also happened in New York, I'm pretty sure the department of social services has shown up at their door. Instead of sending your child out into the cold with a high risk of him catching neumonia or some other form of permanent illness, the parents should just have the child exercise NORMALLY instead of watching tv. Pressing your children to achieve high marks in school means absolutely nothing. My ex was from HK and she cheated when she could to get those "amazing" marks. Many of her other friends were the same which helps explain why China hasn't had any innovative exports for quite a long time. Chinese society is changing (for the better imo) thank goodness, but its going to take a while.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Tmarie- What cracks me up is that while these parents are spouting the virtues of running around semi naked in freezing weather, they themselves probably have more layers on than you have! Anyway, must dash! Time for my nightly romp in the garden dressed in ancient ritual thongs complete with tassles!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh I agree with you - I think the parents are loons! Just like I think the parents here are loons when they try and tell me that having little Taro in shorts in the dead of winter is character and strength building!

If they had central heating and warm building, I wouldn't have an issue with it - I wore t-shirts in winter in Canada as the buildings are warm inside. Here? I am wrapped like a mummy and STILL freezing my butt off!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Tmarie~ Sorry, mental slip that you herald from Canada! Bit like preaching to the choir there.

But you know, I still think the parents are being irresponsible here. It would have to be 'for a limited time'. How long does it take for a child so young to come down with hypothermia. Really young kids have been known to suffer from hypothermia while being indoors in a badly heated house in the winter. The father says he is doing it for his son's own good but I am not sure about that either. Looks a lot more like control issues have raised their ugly heads.

I get you about the school uniforms. My lot don't wear uniforms yet and as for sports, in winter they always wear an extra layer over their normal sports tops.

We had a lovely surprise of snow in Tokyo a couple of weeks ago and not wanting to waste such a wonderful gift, the kids and dashed off to the park to make a snowman. There were loads of kids bundled up, except for two kids(brothers) wearing pants and Tshirts. A group of old woman kept commenting, in a cheerful and non confrontational way, how sad the boys looked as they must be cold. The mother of the boys ended up putting their coats on!

Keep warm in this....for me anyway....nippy weather!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sam, this kid was out for a limited time. Kids in Japan are stuck in these outfits ALL day and sometimes in rooms with no heat. Socks are thing, shorts don't do much and hats are not allowed inside. I'm not agreeing with this dad but I am having a bit of a chuckle that people are outraged at this but see kids running around in pretty much the same thing and don't bat an eye.

I'm from Canada so trust me, well aware of how heat escapes and what you can so to stay warm! Hence me thinking the uniforms here for the kiddies is appalling.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Tmarie- What's the difference? Socks. Shorts over the undies. A hat. A short sleeved top with a longer sleeved top over it. Totally different and if ever I heard that my kids had been running around outside wearing only undies and shoes, Inwould not be happy!

Years ago, I used to do a lot of fell walking in some quite remote areas. Weather changed at the drop of a hat. Inwas taught that the most important part of the body to be kept warm was the torso and head.(Bear in mind, I am not talking about the Arctic here.) Your arms and legs could withstand losing quite a lot of heat but not your torso. It could be outdated now but as long as my kids have warm shoes, long socks, hats and torso wrapped up, a bit of bare knee is no problem!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Illsayit~ Yes, you were rude but I am too much of a lady to mention it but...since you brought it up, I will.

If neighbours and community actually stepped in when witnessing bad parenting 'decisions', quite a few child deaths or injuries might have been avoided. As for parents learning from their mistakes, I agree. Never noticed a manual yet attached to a baby's limb as it entered this world. Some stuff parents learn along the way. How to put on a diaper. How to soothe a crying baby at night. I think most folk don't think it's okay to let your 4 year old run around in freezing temperatures donned in undies and shoes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think the father wants to make his son a real man. If all the gay men had a similar education there would be no gay people (i do not criticize gay people, just from womens' point of view, we do not need gay men and it is devastating that the most handsome and artistic man are always gay).

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

no Samantha I wasnt on a moral high, I was being rude and calling you bigotted, but if you want, you can call my case morally on the high ground. Some could consider their parents focused on a pc rather than their 4yo distressing for the child. I agree it needs context, and the moral ground I want to state is that authorities-starting with nosey parker neighbours-are the ones who need to learn that children are the authority of the parents, and that all parents arent perfect, and that all parents have the right to learn how to parent their own way, and that may just include making a few mistakes along the way. Who needs Mrs Peebody breathing down your neck saying get it right, ridiculous and such?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To teach a child to be strong is one thing, but to teach a child to be stupid is another thing. Hmmmm....sounds like a Chinese proverb. Running in the snow almost naked is stupid. What is so strong about that?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

How is this all that different from the ele kids here only being allowed to wear shorts in winter?! Ask anyone here and they'll tell you it makes the kids stronger.

Indeed horrific but based on "little emperor" syndrome china's got going on, I would take parenting advice from them with a grain of salt. Either too pushy or too spoilt.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Illsayit- And who is on their moral high horse now?

How exactly does a four year old benefit from running up and down a street practically naked in freezing temperatures?I am all for playing outside but only in underwear and a pair of shoes? And yes, sometimes intervention is warranted,al beit from a stranger or an official. We're talking about a 4 year old kid here.

Each to their own but not when that parents actions are dangerous or could harm the child or are causing the child distress.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Spartan's training. Sometimes it works.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

maybe the word here should be perseverence. If that is what the parents knew growing up, then who are you all to judge. The guy was proud enough to film it, and obviously has no hangups about his own parents, or any longterm negative effects on his own child. What I cant understand is all these comments that would be-little a parents love of his child, as if you are all saints. Please! swimming? bowling? How much integrity do you take with that mouthful? About as deep as your purse pockets, Id bet. Or even the threatening stances; Id question your parenting and example of such attitude to your neighbours. Okay this might not be my way of handling my child, but I wouldnt want not one of you here, as a spokesperson for my child either. Whatever uproar this article is referring to, seems it is only pointing out all the bigots.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I hate video games and seeing kids here in Japan go to a park to play nintendo etc...but do I want them to run around naked in freezing snow?? NO!! Let kids play outside soccer or baseball or Onigoko, hide and seek etc...but this kind of abuse is just insane, I would like to make these idiot parents toughen up in Alaska etc...just to see the looks on these idiot parents!!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Integrity can only be taught through hardship

It's taught by example. The father is a pethetic example.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

As a father of a 5 year old and 7 year old I do see the need of "toughing up" their spirits, but this is a bit too much. As a family we have climbed small mountains when my children were age four and six. It was a great sense of accomplishment for us. In my home country of America, I see four year-olds being pushed in baby strollers....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

K the kids treatment is a little harsh... but does need to be taken in context...... the parents and kid were apparantly doing warmups together to prepare for it... the video is the tail end of the "training". Yes it was a little extreme but also please dont take it out of context n label the parents monsters. A little unwise perhaps... monsters is a bit strong.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don't understand Chinese so a lot will be lost on me from this video. To me the difference between something being cruelty or being training is in the mind of the person imposing the conditions. Perhaps the father did mean well. But the father saying that it's all good since the boy didn't die,... well that's pure stupidity. That's ends-justifies-the-means thinking among other things too.

@ Zenpun, Are you saying that you think such hardship-training cures Cerebral Palsy?? If so, I think you should go into medical research and start trying to formalize this technique and publish it. I am skeptical though.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If I'd been walking in New York and I saw that, I would have told the parents to get their son indoors and warm or I 'd call the police. Ridiculous! If you want to 'toughen' up your child why not take them swimming...in an indoor pool. Bowling. There are lots of indoor sports to do on a wintry day that 'toughen' up the body. I think the parents are sadististic filming this. Were they donned in only undies and a pair of shoes too while they filmed this? We are talking about a 4 year old here. What regime is he going to be on at 8 years old? Poor little boy.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Xin said that the boy was born prematurely with several health problems including water in the brain that prompted doctors to say he may have cerebral palsy

When the child grown up and stronger, he will have advantage for getting a job in security industry or defence. US navy Seal and Swat team recrutiment team favour that type of man who have touch physical training since their childhood. If I am recuritment consultant, I will strongly recommed about that training. Chinese athletes have to train long and harsh hours for the glorious moment of Olympic victory too.

Chinese parents dreamed about their Children success in the future. Some parents like martial art or fitness instructors . A chile grown up with Cebral Parsy will be a huge burden for family and society. If the training makes him stronger and fitter, it should be encouraged. No pain no gain.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I hope they do arrests these parents, I have no idea about Chinese laws but in the USA I am sure these people would get the book thrown at them in a court of law and once the other prisoners find out what you are doing to kids, even your own kids, those American prisoners would get real creative with these stupid parents.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Integrity can only be taught through hardship. The WWII generation is often thought of as having a greater work ethic and integrity... they also had to deal with much more hardship. Surely there is a correlation?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I don't think we're supposed to take Amy Chua's book as a how-to guide on parenting.. more of a clash of cultures. she even stated that she gave up on it after her daughter rebelled against her.. i think its more satire than anything.

that being said, this is insane treatment for a 4yr old.. why hasn't the father been arrested yet?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you watch the video and understand Chinese, it's not as bad as the article makes out. Still wouldn't do it to my kid though.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"Pardon me but Amy Chua is American, not Chinesr"

Well said, I did wonder.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Pardon me but Amy Chua is American, not Chinesr, and the elimination of the kind of culture she advocates as a diaspora Chinese was one of the few positives to come from the cultural revolution.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Jesus. A four year old.

Bring the parents here to the European cold snap. I'll show them the error of their ways naked with a shovel out in my snow-filled yard. We can see if the son is a good shot with a catapult.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The URL works if you copy/paste it. It's a bad link because it auto directs to a Japan Today page.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Headline 16 years later: "20-y.o. Chinese man kills parents, self".

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I have nothing but disdain for these idiot parents, Chinese etc..don't matter and it would be nice to see these idiot parents forced to run out in a blizzard with no shoes heck with no clothes and for good measure let their kids have water hoses to wet them down, see how they would enjoy a taste of their own medicine??

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Citizen14- u said it. I'm sure we'll be reading about this kid in 20 years or so for sniping people from a bell tower somewhere

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I can't get that tudou.com link to work, but I just saw the video on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvkWUWhthMU

If that doesn't work, search YouTube for "4 year old kid runs in snow. " He seems quite unhappy except at the very end of the video when it looks like he's actually cracked a smile.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just gave my little one a hug. Generally, life is hard enough for a child that small. My little one has caught in his hands in various things, etc. Plenty of physical pain despite trying to avoid it. He cries when I leave the room etc. Plenty of emotional pain even though I try to avoid it. Adding pain would only make him weak and mean. That is how bullies are made.

This is the typical idiocy of ignorant people with one dimensional vision. Affection can also give strength. I recommend balance and a variety of experiences. But half naked in the snow for a four year old? While his parents ignore his pleas? The core lesson he will learn? His parents are cruel, and by extension, the whole world and everyone in it. Great if you want to raise a Hun or a psycho killer. Not so great if you want a healthy happy child who takes care of you when you get old.

“This child has received all sorts of forms of training since he was small. When he was one, he started swimming in water that was 21 degrees Celsius.”

And we can see how tough it made him as he wails to be picked up out of the snow by papa! Man, no one is as blind as those who refuse to see!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Kids will never forget traumatic experiences and abuse they have suffered at the hands of their parents. My father once threw me halfway across the room out of frustration because I was misbehaving. Another time he taped my legs together and forced me to try and hop around the room. I'll stop there, but I'll never forget and I'll never forgive my father.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Don't be surprised if/when this kid contemplates and maybe even commits suicide at the slightest failing and out of fear of the repercussions. Don't be shocked either if he tries to take down 'eagle dad', too. It's a shame the parents weren't caught doing this while in New York and thrown in the clink to teach them a bit of 'tough love' before being deported home. At least the kid would have had a few hours of peace.

Poor kid. Absolutely evil parents.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

children are increasingly forced to study hard at the expense of leisure activities

This is one thing, but what the child was forced to do is cruel and borders on child abuse - if it isn't child abuse.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites