On the Problem of “Excessiveness” of Family Education in China

Recently in China there has been a problem of “excessiveness of education”, i.e. parents′ education of their children exceeds certain limits. This is considered under three categories: (1) excessive attachment to children in daily life; (2) excessive care for children′s study; and (3) use of excessive regular methods. Category (1) can lead to priority being given to the child to the detriment of other family members and at extreme financial cost. Category (2): in addition to following school studies closely, parents often set extra‐curricular tests and studies for their children and work out “unrealistic objectives” which they expect their children to achieve. This exerts great pressure on the children and has even led to cases of suicide. In Category (3) children are taught at home pre‐school to the degree that they are well‐advanced in studies when they enter primary school. This has the negative effects that children are tired of study before they even attend school or are bored because they have already learned what they are now being taught. This continues throughout education with parents acting as “second teachers”. Excessive family education is seen to end in failure; producing negative influences on the development of children′s intelligence and personalities.