Chinese ‘pre-made children’ term reflects trend of parents prioritising study over summer fun
A new term, “pre-made children,” has recently gone viral on Chinese social media, highlighting the trend of parents prioritising their children’s studies over rest and enjoyment during summer holidays. This term, which gained traction this summer, is inspired by the concept of “pre-made meals,” describing factory-processed frozen foods that are easy to prepare. With many restaurants opting for…
A viral Chinese phrase, "pre-made children," reflects the growing trend among parents prioritizing academic pursuits over summer leisure activities. The term, inspired by the concept of pre-made meals, refers to children forced to study ahead of the upcoming school term during their summer vacation. In eastern China's Zhejiang province, a mother subjected her Primary Four son to rigorous studies in Chinese poems, English vocabulary, and online mathematics classes during his summer break.
Despite the demanding workload, the mother admitted to feeling anxious about her son's academic preparation. Her friends echoed this trend, with several parents sharing their experiences of "pre-making" their children, citing benefits such as higher class rankings and increased self-confidence. However, concerns arise over the potential for overwhelming the child with academic pressure.
This phenomenon is part of the broader trend known as "chicken-blood parenting," characterized by intense parental pressure to ensure children's competitiveness. Some have even proposed transition programs between university and work, as well as retirement and death, highlighting the extreme nature of this parenting trend.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
