I see so many gloating parents here whose children mean the world to them. This is China, it's culturally and historically different to the West so of course there will be different approaches to parenting. We may not agree with everything but looking at China's population, they've definitely been doing something right.

I don't get it either. I think it's also possible that we're a bit TOO cautious in the west. Our society has this thing where we think everything can be prevented. As a result our children basically live in helmets.

I'm going to have to agree with nevermind on this one. Western society has over done it when it comes to protecting the little ones. They're kids, they need to eat dirt and scrape their knees once in awhile. That being said, I've seen how crazy the drivers are in China and I wouldn't let my kids play in the street here.

coffaholic OMG!! You're so sweet and understanding! How cool! So you must also be understanding and find it simply culturally different how they treat boy and girls and the differences between men and women.. How far does your tolerance go? Does it include the middle east where women need to wear a bee keeper suit in order to not get stoned to death... I wish I was also so culturally rich and flexible... But I'm just an old timer who just does expect somethings to be... Well the way I expect them to be no matter where in the world I am and that includes not burning women no matter what they've done...

Without a doubt they coddle the boys and leave the girls to their own devices, in my observations they are not treated equally or the same.