CHINA’s parliament is considering introducing a new law that would punish parents for the crimes of their offspring in the latest in a raft of measures introduced in a bid to regulate domestic life.

 

What is the new law exactly?

China's parliament is moving to consider the new legislation that would essentially punish parents for the crimes of their children. The draft law is being reviewed by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee this week.

 

What would it mean?

If passed into law, it will see the parents or guardians of children who commit crimes or very bad behaviour be “reprimanded” and ordered to go through a programme of family education guidance. It would also require parents or guardians to set aside time for their children to rest, play and exercise. Zang Tiewei, spokesman for the NPC's Legislative Affairs Commission, told Reuters: “There are many reasons for adolescents to misbehave, and the lack of or inappropriate family education is the major cause.”

 

It’s in line with China’s approach to governing?

The Chinese Communist Party, the founding and sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China, has ramped up policies governing domestic family life. Earlier this year, the government formally amended its historic two-child policy, allowing all married couples to have three children in an effort to boost the country’s stunted population growth.

 

What else?

In August, China’s National Press and Publication Administration brought in new rules that mean children under-18 are now only allowed to play online video games for up to three hours a week, from 8pm-9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and legal holidays. The agency said it was trying to safeguard children’s physical and mental health.

 

What about other policies?

Online study time and private tutoring has also been limited, in part to reduce the financial burden on parents - according to an official survey in 2016, around 75 per cent of Chinese students attended private tutoring sessions and officials believe reducing this monetary pressure may help boost the birth rate.

 

Meanwhile?

Last month, China's National Radio and Television Administration announced a ban on children's shows containing "any mention of violence, blood, vulgarity or pornography", with producers told to "resolutely resist bad plots", creating only "excellent cartoons”. Three years ago, China banned Peppa Pig from an online video channel for being associated with a “gangster” subculture.

 

What about the celebrity culture?

China’s internet watchdog has said the country’s intense celebrity fan culture is negatively impacting young people’s mental health, cracking down on “blind worship” of stars. It accused online fan clubs of contributing to a bullying culture and of manipulating public opinion and has banned the trend of compiling celebrity popularity rankings in a bid to address the “chaos” in the fan community. 

 

It doesn’t stop there?

China’s rulers also want young Chinese men to be more manly. The Education Ministry circulated a "Proposal to Prevent the Feminisation of Male Adolescents” last year that also urged schools to promote sports such as soccer, requiring local education departments to raise the number of gym teachers and ensure physical education classes "cultivate masculinity”.