Fear of Love: China's Alternative Child Education Report

Author: He Jianming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-12-01
Features: After reading He Jianming's new work Fear Without Love – An Educational Report on China's "Alternative Children," my heart has been restless, filled with a tearing pain and an indescribable sense of guilt for the suffering of those children abandoned by their parents or with disabilities who lack care. We have once showered so much love on the healthy only children, caring for their healthy growth, worrying about them being consumed by internet cafes and game halls, fearing their heavy academic load leaves little room for creativity, and being afraid of early romantic relationships affecting their future. As a result, educational books of various kinds appear in bookstores, winning the favor of parents. Reportage writer He Jianming is renowned for his expertise in writing about educational issues. In works like Tears Are Gold and China's Gaokao Report, the author expresses his deep reflections on the current state of Chinese education with a compassionate heart and unique perspective. In Fear Without Love, he extends his boundless love, as exemplified by the saying "love your own parents as you love others, and love your own children as you love others," calling on the world to embrace true love and family bonds, reaching out with care to the alternative children. The author has visited many provinces to gather materials and witnessed firsthand the living conditions of these children, giving rise to deep concern for their present and future. In Fear Without Love, the author presents a truthful and objective description of the lives of orphans, disabled children, illegitimate children, street children, children from divorced families, children from criminal families, girls whose lives are ruined under the mindset of "preference for sons over daughters," and innocent children brutalized by domestic violence. He delves into their inner worlds. Most of these children harbor fear and resentment towards the outside world, remaining closed off and suspicious. The scars of being bullied and humiliated in their early years are too deep, leaving them unable to believe that anyone would extend a hand of care to them. Yet deep down, they yearn endlessly for love, warmth, and family. In pursuit of this longing, a little girl named Nana traveled thousands of miles from the Inner Mongolian grasslands to the interior in search of her parents. Many other children have sought refuge under the guidance of Zhang Hongtu, the headmaster of Shanxi's orphanage school, hoping to find a family-like warmth. But how many more such children are waiting on their long life paths, needing the care and tenderness of the world, especially the nurturing of their parents? While Fear Without Love calls for family love, it also places great emphasis on the responsibilities and duties of parents in raising and caring for their children, aiming to awaken the conscience of parents and draw more attention to this issue. On the other hand, it delivers a merciless condemnation to those who trample on life and show no responsibility for it, while calling on legal authorities to intervene and punish parents who have lost their humanity. Saving alternative children, educating parents to recognize their responsibilities and obligations, and awakening their basic conscience and humanity are essential. Since the founding of New China, the Party and government have provided much help and care for vulnerable children, achieving remarkable results. However, it is still necessary for the whole society to reach a consensus and work together. Fortunately, many people in our society have already taken the initiative. In Shanxi, Zhang Hongtu used the hard-earned money from his coal factory to establish the "Dongda Orphanage School," adopting over 600 orphans from all over the country. A farmer named Su Yuxiang in Cangzhou, Hebei, adopted 17 children from the local prison. Ma Guocheng in Jingbian County, Yulin City, Shaanxi, toiled on the impoverished Loess Plateau to earn 900,000 yuan,46. There are also the Chen Rong couple in Beijing, Zhang Shuying and Guo Jianhua in Shaanxi, and Tian Shumin in Henan, among many other wise individuals who have extended their hands of care and achieved many touching deeds. "May all children living on the great land of China be loved by their parents and families, as well as by society and the nation." This is not only the author's heartfelt sentiment but also the common wish of all kind-hearted people. It is hoped that Fear Without Love will inspire more people and awaken true love and family bonds in the world.