In China, everyone knows most couples have only one kid. This is the result of the Chinese government’s successful one-child policy, creating what many call “little emperors”. The child becomes the central focus of his parents and grandparents. They are given lots of love and attention to the point where sometimes, they become spoilt. I’m having my lunch with a few local friends today, I gain a deeper insight on how Chinese parents spoil their kids.

Interestingly, several of them point out that they will do everything in their power to let their daughters live a life beyond their means. Simply put, their daughters are the “princess” of the households. They get all the best and do not really need to help out with the chores. Even after their daugthers have started working, their parents continue to give them money every month to finance their buying sprees. One young colleague of mine was given a few hundred thousand yuan to buy an apartment in order to stay nearer to her working place. The other was given 10k cash to buy a LV handbag. Her salary is only 2k a month. Another was given a car so that she does not need to take the metro to work, although metro in Shanghai is super convenient. It’s also common to have your subordinates wear and drive better than you. I don’t know you, but at least it happens to me, my hubby and some of my expat friends.

The rational behind this is that, parents hope their daughters will grow up spoilt and look for a rich spouse that can continue to provide her with this lifestyle they have grown accustomed to. In this way, they hope their daughters will not suffer, at least in the material aspect.

“Give your daughter more money to spend on branded cloths, handbags, accesories etc… she will look more “high-class”! This way, they can get a rich spouse.”

I simply shook my head with a speachless smile. Chinese mainland like to emphasize the word “high-class”.

They are too spoilt, but some insist that they are not spoilt at all. What do you think?

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11:53 pm

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