School Violence in China

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I am confused...what is causing all of this school violence/attacks on children and teachers? Can anyone enlighten me?

[Anonymous]

http://chinadivide.com/2010/revenge-society-school-violence-policy-implications.html

Check out this article it brings to light several possible causes for these attacks. I just watched a very interesting movie about the rise of Communism in China back in the 50's called "The Blue Kite". Seeing what is going on now keeps bringing flashes of that movie into my mind. The violence toward teachers in that movie was because the teachers were being seen as "anti Communist". No one seems to know what these recent attacks are all about.

[Anonymous]

What is the deal with the kindergarten killings. I plan on asking Xien (sp?) what her opinion is on this issue. I would like to know how her country is responding to this tragedy. She can probabely offer a unique perspective on what is happening. I hope that she can explain the reasoning behind the killings.

[Anonymous]

I did some research on what happened recently in China about school violence, and here is my opinion.

The first tragedy happened on March 23, in southern China (a city in my province!!). What triggered the man to commit this crime was his loss of hope in life. He had no job, no personal property, low income, experienced several relationship failures. Especially when he lost his job, he relied on the low-income aids from the government, which totally damaged his self-esteem and hope for future. He was considered the typical "Loser" in today's society in China. What made the situation even worse is that he was very introvert and quiet, never let out his problems.

China is experiencing an unprecedented transition since 1978. While expanding her economy and global competency, the gap between the rich and the poor, the lack of health social value, have become a big issue. For people struggling at the bottom of the society, it is convenient for them to blame their struggle to the rich, or the government officials. It is the case with the murderer. It's thought that he chose to kill kindergarten kids in that he felt he was superior and stronger than them, which brought about a sick self-fulfillment to him.

Hope it helps!

-Xin

[Anonymous]

That shed some light on the situation but it pains my heart when I hear about innocent children being killed. I heard about this when I was talking about this class to one of my co-workers and I was shocked. I found an article on cbc.com and it stated that the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, blamed the killings on deep-seated social tension. I wonder how do you resolve a problem light that?

[Anonymous]

This is unfortunate and sad to see. However, I have heard from friends who lived in China, that there tends to be apathy towards others lives. This goes for rural and urban areas. People will often back up on highways to read a sign that they missed with little regard for the safety of others. This type of violence and heinous killings are a product of ill mental health and major issues. This is a really sad story.

[Anonymous]

It's bizarre because it goes against the admittedly stereotypical idea many Americans have of Asians (yes, a huge generalization there too- "Asian") being calm, non-violent and kind of more civilized in their daily interactions....it's like, "What the heck!? Those Chinese are acting like crazy white people!" I mean, who kills kindergardeners? I wonder if the anger is attached to a sense of westernizing influences (rising wealth, privitization co-mingled with repressive party politics and corruption and still relatively rigid class lines.??)

[Anonymous]

I hate seeing things like this. My first year teaching, during a 1st aid/earthquake/fire training in service, my principal said something about school is where students (should) feel safe and even if they leave after a natural disaster they usually return back to school. That stuck with me so I've always tried to make my class a safe zone for all my students. Of course, I don't like people killing each other for no reason, and I really don't like people killing innocent children, but I especially don't like innocent children getting killed at school. How horrible of a person can you be?

[Anonymous]

Sick and Sickened! We all know that man was sick. And I'm sickened by his actions! And why, please tell me why his anger was directed at 5 year olds. And some of these little innocents will be psychologically damaged by this mad-mans actions. If Wen Jiabao is blaming this man's actions on social tensions then something should have been done to difuse the ticking bomb that he became so that he would never have exploded!

[Anonymous]

After the news of all these incidences began to immerge I asked Xien what she thought of it. I figured she would be able to shed some cultural perspective on the reason for this rediculous violence.

[Anonymous]

Having traveled to different parts of the world, especially Europe and the Middle East, and residing in Australia for eight years, I have a little insight as to how our society is perceived. Many people in the world see America as being a very violent place. Many places in the world don't allow firearms in society. This is one of our fundamental rights==to bear arms. People in the world expect to hear about violence, even sick crazy violence like murders in elementary schools etc in America. For us to hear about these types of events in places like China do seem strange to us. But as Xjiang explained people are all different in the world. That's why we are all the same everywhere. There are sick people and well adjusted, balanced people in every part of the world. I try to understand the violent nature of some of my students. But they are a small minority. Most kids are decent, regardless of the violent neighborhoods that they are raised in.

[Anonymous]

Instability and uncertainty to the point of debilitation. I wonder if there is any link to the ideas propagated regarding class struggle during Mao's cultural revolution. I find it very sad that there are innocent children dying, but also that people can be so tortured and broken that they actually commit these acts of violence.

[Anonymous]

Xin thanks for the insight. It is very disturbing to think that a person could kill innocent children. I know that in our country receiving psychological help is very difficult even with the all acceptance and information available, I can only imagine how difficult it is in China. When I visited Beijing I only remember seeing general hospitals and not specialized clinics that offer psychological help. How is depression or psychological problems viewed in China? Is there any help?

[Anonymous]

According to the LA Times the recent school violence in China is a form of revolt toward the institution that is molding itsself in China at the moment. With the transition to a more capitalist system, some people are being left behind. Property owners are being booted off their land to make way for large developments and in some cases these people go bonkers and lash out in the most brutal of manners.

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