In search of Chineseness: the abused child syndrome and individual rights

Abstract

The problem of Chinese national character has always intrigued scholars. There is the urge to seek common denominators, one of them being Chinese child-rearing. The Chinese child in conditioned to treat his or her homes as a haven against the outside world. This foster insecurity in every generation of Chinese, who naturally wish to exert control over younger generation. People who are dependent are inevitably selfish and clinging. Genetic influences might affect the intelligence, activity level and emotionality. One way for women to foster their power base is to win total allegiance of their children inside the family. Chinese people involve intensely with a close circle of people and avoid stranger. They are fearful of offending others and not confident in themselves. Studies have shown that Hong Chinese seen to mature quite late, perhaps in the early thirties. Being infantile themselves, Hong Kong parents often inculcate short-sighted attitudes toward general society by treating it as largely insignificant, there is no respect for the individual rights of others. This mentality does not foster the doctrine of the Rule of Law when Hong Kong becomes a Special Administrative Region of Chine after 30 June 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]