Guardians deserve penalty in child deaths
Source: Xinhua |
February 23, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A RECENT string of children's deaths has raised questions about minors' protection and guardianship, especially in China's rural and poor areas.
Many children in these areas are "left behind" in the care of grandparents or others while their migrant parents depart for work in cities.
Five unsupervised boys aged between four and six suffocated to death in a deserted tobacco barn in Majiang County in southwest China's Guizhou Province, police confirmed on Wednesday.
Each of the five families was given 22,000 yuan (US$3,525) and 100 kilograms of rice by the local government.
About three months ago in the same province, five abandoned children were found dead in a dumpster where they had lit a fire to keep warm on a cold night in the city of Bijie. They also suffocated.
According to Zhou Xiaozheng, a sociology professor with Beijing-based Renmin University of China, these tragedies have revealed that the children's parents were unaware of what it means to be a good guardian and failed in their responsibilities.
'Little birds'
Parents or guardians, who are usually busy with farm work or working in cities, leave their children with grandparents. The children are often left to play by themselves or with others, which is quite common in rural areas, especially during holidays. "Just like little birds, the kids learn almost everything by themselves," said one villager in Majiang.
Chen Changhai, a chief psychiatrist at the Psychological Counseling Center of Guiyang City, said that in addition to providing basic food, shelter, and other requirements, parents should also education children in how to protect themselves.
"To raise children's awareness of self-protection and teach them to stay away from danger is the responsibility of guardians," Chen said.
Experts also suggest that laws should be more specific about guardianship. Chinese laws on the protection of minors outline guardians' responsibilities and obligations. However, there are no specifics on how the guardians should fulfill them, said Qin Qianhong, a law professor with Wuhan University.
"Detailed rules and regulations will help guardians be aware of their duties and effectively prevent children from accidents or injuries," Qin added.
Wu Dahua, president of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences and a law professor, believed those who fail to perform their responsibilities in protecting minors should be punished by law.
"People usually think parents are also victims because they have lost children in accidents. However, the parents should be held accountable for their dereliction of duty," said Wu.
For example, some state laws in the United States stipulate that parents could face jail if their children die after guardians lock them in a car and leave them for a while.
"Children should be treated as individuals, rather than the private property of their parents," added Wu.
Many children in these areas are "left behind" in the care of grandparents or others while their migrant parents depart for work in cities.
Five unsupervised boys aged between four and six suffocated to death in a deserted tobacco barn in Majiang County in southwest China's Guizhou Province, police confirmed on Wednesday.
Each of the five families was given 22,000 yuan (US$3,525) and 100 kilograms of rice by the local government.
About three months ago in the same province, five abandoned children were found dead in a dumpster where they had lit a fire to keep warm on a cold night in the city of Bijie. They also suffocated.
According to Zhou Xiaozheng, a sociology professor with Beijing-based Renmin University of China, these tragedies have revealed that the children's parents were unaware of what it means to be a good guardian and failed in their responsibilities.
'Little birds'
Parents or guardians, who are usually busy with farm work or working in cities, leave their children with grandparents. The children are often left to play by themselves or with others, which is quite common in rural areas, especially during holidays. "Just like little birds, the kids learn almost everything by themselves," said one villager in Majiang.
Chen Changhai, a chief psychiatrist at the Psychological Counseling Center of Guiyang City, said that in addition to providing basic food, shelter, and other requirements, parents should also education children in how to protect themselves.
"To raise children's awareness of self-protection and teach them to stay away from danger is the responsibility of guardians," Chen said.
Experts also suggest that laws should be more specific about guardianship. Chinese laws on the protection of minors outline guardians' responsibilities and obligations. However, there are no specifics on how the guardians should fulfill them, said Qin Qianhong, a law professor with Wuhan University.
"Detailed rules and regulations will help guardians be aware of their duties and effectively prevent children from accidents or injuries," Qin added.
Wu Dahua, president of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences and a law professor, believed those who fail to perform their responsibilities in protecting minors should be punished by law.
"People usually think parents are also victims because they have lost children in accidents. However, the parents should be held accountable for their dereliction of duty," said Wu.
For example, some state laws in the United States stipulate that parents could face jail if their children die after guardians lock them in a car and leave them for a while.
"Children should be treated as individuals, rather than the private property of their parents," added Wu.
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