Comment on "Zero tolerance ordered for crimes against minors" (China Daily, May 30)

As an American teacher in China, I was horrified to see many Chinese teachers hitting, slapping and meting out other physical punishments to students for simple infractions, which in my opinion often were simply normal acts of children.

I was also horrified to learn that several of my students received regular beatings from their fathers at home, and yet according to the people I worked with, absolutely nothing could be done about it. I don't know if there are any laws against parents beating up their children, but the teachers were afraid that they would be fired if they said anything against it.

It's a very dark aspect of Chinese culture that I was saddened to bear witness to, and I hope China will be able to change the law and society's perception on child abuse.

Michiruwater, on China Daily

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(China Daily 06/05/2013 page9)