Field report #1

While observing Chinese people in their adopted home of Chinatown,

it delighted me to see that my initial observations were indeed, true.

Please see exhibit 1 below:

As described previously, Chinese people will not remove the original

manufacturer's plastic in a futile effort to "protect" an object as long

as possible. For further detail, please refer to Report #1

#14 Extracurricular Academic Activities

Similar to their non-Chinese counterparts, Chinese parents also feel that extracurricular activities are an integral part of making a child 'well-rounded'. Much to the child's surprise these activities are rarely of a physical nature.

Since Chinese parents place a monumental importance on their child's education, extracurricular activities are almost always of an academic nature. Similar to Chinese school, these activities take place on Saturday afternoons (often after Chinese school), further destroying the child's afternoon and preventing them from having fun with their non-Chinese friends. Otherwise, they take place after school on weekdays, successfully destroying any chance of 'hang-outs' with non-Chinese children.

The academic activities in question consist of math, English, music and occasionally art. In regards to math practice, the word Kumon will send a chill down any Chinese child's spine and conjure images of a steady, never ending, daily supply of booklets of math questions. After all, success in math equates to success in life. Occasionally, in areas with a high concentration of Chinese people, there are often community center like "academies" where children of all ages gather for math classes and English study (despite the fact they were born in an English speaking country). English study includes grammar practices in addition to writing essays that have no bearing on being a young adolescent.

A child expressing themselves through art (painting, illustration) is seldom encouraged as it is often seen by parents as a trivial pursuit that does not guarantee a job as medical, financial or technical professional. Should the child succeed and obtain a fulfilling career creating art, the parents will be proud, but will never fail to remind their child that, "still, being a doctor has better job security."

Musical pursuits are often encouraged, but only if the instruments involved are a violin or a piano. To a Chinese parent, any instrument outside of this duo of choices, frankly, do not exist. This will be covered in greater detail in a future post.

For non-Chinese people, these types of extracurricular activities are very much an oddity. While they were playing hockey, t-Ball, soccer and other various sports Chinese children were enjoying a full afternoon of math, followed by English, followed by violin and/or piano practice. This sad history history has been revealed in the hopes that future Chinese parents will not make the same mistakes as their elders. This information should also serve to provide a good reason for non-Chinese to understand fully why, "Kenneth/Linda can't come out and play" on such a lovely summer day.

#13 Beating their children

Throughout modern history, Chinese children have often been praised by non-Chinese parents as being polite, modest, good-natured and well disciplined. While many may debate the merits of nature vs. nurture, nurture indubitably plays a strong role in the shaping of a Chinese child's temperament. The nurture in question are savage beatings administered by parents.

As the reasons for beating are numerous, this method of physical discipline is integral in the parent's continued use of negative reinforcement, and to deter future misbehaviour. Common reasons for beatings include: poor grades (<90%), fighting with siblings, talking back, not practicing piano/violin and general disobedience. It is not uncommon that beatings would be administered based on petty reasons (e.g. not going home right after school) in order to maintain the fear instilled in the hearts of the children.

Non-Chinese parents that discipline their children will usually use a belt and/or hand. However, Chinese parents, in this regard are much more creative/resourceful. Common beating tools include coat hangers (plastic and metal), spatulas (plastic, metal and wood), rulers, paint stirrers, and the most infamous of all, the feather duster. The implement of choice will often depend on the administrator of the beatings. Being the most commonly used beating tool, Chinese children have developed a Pavlovian response to this unassuming household cleaning tool and will typically cringe or scurry away out of habit. The traditional form of this torture device is a long bamboo handle on one end, with feathers on the other. The contemporary model consists of a handle that is made of an intertwined steel rod covered in a hard plastic. Research has shown that both these models will consistently cause great pain to the palm, thigh, and buttock areas.

Should you be Chinese and also experienced savage and undeserved beatings in your youth, this is a great way to bond with your fellow Chinese. Talking about this once dreaded topic will often turn into reminiscing, which in turn is known to bring out one's competitive side. It is entirely possible to overhear a heated discussion between two Chinese people attempting to one-up each other with stories of, "my most savage beating". As a tip for non-Chinese people, highlighting the fact that, "I've never been beat" will only serve to alienate yourself from your Chinese friends, instead of impressing them.