More pocket money to children in China than in Japan, ROK, Vietnam: survey

Home>>Life

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 06, 2004

More pocket money to children in China than in Japan, ROK, Vietnam: survey

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Compared to their counterparts in the neighboring countries of Japan, the ROK and Vietnam, Chinese children have more money in their pockets, indicated in a survey by Japanese scholars. Among the four countries Chinese urban youngsters have the biggest absolute amount of pocket money, but what's worrisome is the gap between the children of the same age, too big the gap. And Chinese parents are too casual in giving money to their children, and the children, however, have a less control on the money given to them.

According to the survey, Japanese high school students aged 13 or 14 have 2,000 to 3,000 yen to use each month (about 140 to 200 Renminbi yuan). The absolute amount for the ROK students is slightly lower, but there is no big difference between the two countries considering the purchasing power. While the amount in Vietnam, another country of fast economic growth, is the lowest.

When describing the situation of Chinese children's pocket money, Japanese scholars said the "gap between the rich and the poor"is shocking. In a Chinese class there are students who have over 1,000 yuan for pocket money each month, but also those who have almost none. Even in families of equal income, parents give noticeably different amounts of pocket money to their children due to their different conceptions in education.

In Japan and the ROK, students in a class, though of different economic backgrounds, have their pocket money kept at almost the same level. Parents would even ask each other's amount privately and agree on a certain sum to avoid comparison and jealousy among the children.

Another phenomenon popular in China also roused Japanese scholars' interest��Chinese children are not free to use their pocket money. Although they have a bigger sum, especially money given by relatives during the Chinese lunar New Year, the money is usually spent by parents on tuition fees and textbooks. In Japan students have complete control over their pocket money while tuition and other fees are certainly expenditures shouldered by their parents. Japanese and Korean parents are certainly careful in giving pocket money, but once given they no longer ask how it is going to be used, thinking it a way of teaching children how to deal with the money by themselves.

In Japan, the ROK and Vietnam, the survey showed, parents give money to their children in a fixed way, while in China parents are more casual in doing so��they may give a certain amount regularly, or give extra amounts upon children's requests.

There are two ways for controlling the pocket money in the four countries, one is to give a fixed amount regularly and let children to make use of it by themselves. The other is to give upon children's requests or wishes, negotiating every time for a control. Japanese parents favor with the former and the ROK and Vietnamese parents with the latter while both ways are used in China.

By People's Daily Online

Questions?Comments? Click here

Children's education biggest cost for rural families

Consumerism Hits Colleges in China

Japanese media follows changes regarding 3 ' most-wanted' things for Chinese families ( 2 Messages)

It is unexpectedly easy to defeat "China Threat" theory: Japanese economist ( 17 Messages)

Scientific concept of development crucial to China's future growth: Premier ( 4 Messages)

China issues human rights record of the US ( 4 Messages)

China to promote "cocktail weight loss therapy" in response to WHO plan ( 2 Messages)