China should not let its children be treated as a public nuisance

In a shocking incident that made headlines recently, a toddler travelling with her grandparents on a flight from Guizhou to Shanghai was locked in a plane toilet by two passengers who claimed they were “disciplining” her. The crying one-year-old girl was trapped inside until she finally calmed down after being threatened repeatedly by two adult strangers. This incident was captured on video and widely shared on social media, igniting a heated debate on the rising hostility towards children in public spaces. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. In recent years, reports of public intolerance towards children, particularly on high-speed railways and planes, have been on the rise. Some Chinese netizens have gone so far as to suggest banning underage children from planes and trains altogether. Such proposals are not only absurd but also reveal a deeply worrying trend – that Chinese society is becoming increasingly hostile to its youngest members. While such proposals may not be the majority opinion, they reflect a disturbing fundamental misunderstanding of children and their needs. It is entirely normal for toddlers to struggle in unfamiliar environments such as an enclosed vehicle. They cannot and should not be expected to conform to adult standards of behaviour. What may seem like disruptive behaviour is often just a child exploring the environment or coping with the discomforts of an unfamiliar setting. It’s important to remember that children are not miniature adults. A society that expects toddlers to behave like adults is not only unreasonable but also inhumane. The idea that children should be “disciplined” for simply being children speaks to a larger societal problem. This intolerance stems largely from the one-child policy’s legacy. During its 35-year implementation, this controversial policy resulted in as many as 100 million one-child families, according to estimates by researchers. Many young people grew up without siblings, having never experienced what it is like to care for or live alongside other children. Lacking abundant exposure and practice, they do not have the chance to develop patience and understanding of children’s behaviour. As adults, they are then quick to react with frustration or anger when faced with the normal chaos that kids bring. Moreover, some young adults are scarred by a traumatic childhood. Some have even vowed to sever all ties with their families of origin. Deprived of warmth and care as children, they now struggle to show kindness and patience to today’s kids, often imposing the same rigid expectations they once resented. The atomisation of Chinese society is another contributing factor. With economic growth and social progress comes a growing emphasis on personal boundaries. In the past, Chinese travellers on long train journeys would often engage in conversation and share food with strangers. Today, passengers on high-speed trains and on planes are most likely to keep to themselves, absorbed in their own entertainment, and avoid any unnecessary interactions with others. The rise of this “mind your own business” mentality makes it harder for people to develop a communal mindset, as adults see noisy children as an invasion of their personal space rather than as part of the natural social fabric. The pressure of stressful work and uncertain economic prospects can further erode tolerance towards children. As people struggle to manage their own daily challenges, their patience for kids quickly wears thin. This growing hostility towards children is both dangerous and counterproductive. China’s fertility rate had plummeted to just 1.09 children per woman in 2022, far below the replacement level of 2.1 and even lower than other low-fertility countries like Japan. As the country grapples with its demographic challenge, it must urgently reconsider its approach to raising children and supporting families. Encouraging childbirth by offering material incentives will not be effective if broader society remains hostile to the presence of children. Few parents will feel encouraged to have more children if they are constantly subjected to judgment, and no child should grow up in a society that views them as a nuisance. Raising children is not solely the responsibility of parents. The old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” still holds true. Legal and social welfare institutions must step up to advocate on behalf of children. Incidents like the one on the flight from Guizhou to Shanghai show how easily children’s rights can be overlooked. Random strangers should not be allowed to act as if they are a child’s guardian and public institutions, such as airline companies, need clearer protocols to handle situations involving distressed children. This advocacy should extend to other public spaces and ensure that children and their parents feel safe and welcome when using shared public facilities. Should it be necessary, policymakers could consider laws and regulations that protect children’s entitlement to general public spaces and penalise discriminatory treatment against families with young children. Urban planners and local authorities should make cities more inclusive for families and children by creating an environment that recognises their needs. Unicef’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative offers valuable guidance. Effective measures could include building family-friendly parks, safer pedestrian areas and common spaces that promote interaction and play. By prioritising these considerations, cities can become more welcoming environments where families feel supported and valued. The way a society treats its most vulnerable members is a reflection of its level of civilisation. With China facing a significant population decline, building a society that is more welcoming to children – and indeed to all vulnerable groups – should be a top priority on the nation’s social welfare agenda.

China should not let its children be treated as a public nuisance

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Public displays of intolerance are symptomatic of a society hostile to children. Given its plummeting birth rate, China must push back against this trend

Public displays of intolerance are symptomatic of a society hostile to children. Given its plummeting birth rate, China must push back against this trend