It seems that the anxiousness in China erupts from the lack of stability in society. A theme within this book seems to be that there is no legitimate foundation for these people to build their lives upon or to depend on. That can be a pretty scary thing, especially for a people whose government is constantly subject to unannounced change. However, although just about everything in daily life spurs an episode of anxiety within the Chinese population, there are four main causes of stress. These include, but are not limited to, owning a home, educational costs, competition for retaining a job, and lastly, the overpriced and overstretched health care (pg. 27).
Concerning the owning of homes, there is much concern as to the lack of buying going on in China. As it states in Dodson’s book, China Inside Out, the renting to buying of homes ratio is at 1-to-400 in some cities, and internationally at an amazing 1-to-200 ratio (pg. 31). Because housing costs so much in comparison to the annual salary of most middle class families, the comfort of having a home to call one’s own is seriously in jeopardy for Chinese families and households. However, one must find it interesting that the government does not pay much attention to the unattainable goal of owning a home within China, until the numbers of families renting, compared to purchasing, is at a dangerously extreme ratio number.
Although extremely stereotypical, when one sees an Asian individual studying, they are most likely considered smart and very academically inclined. This sort of “racial profiling” is not without reason, though, as within the book is is shown that Chinese students are extremely applied in their studies. The author talks about a university exam that spans out three days, in order to see how smart certain school-aged adolescents are. If completing the exam successfully, both the kid and their family have a chance to be pushed higher on the socio-economic ladder (pg. 31-32). I cannot decide whether I agree with the opportunity for an adolescent to be rewarded in such a way for academic success. On one hand, the opportunity to help one’s family must be so hopeful, while at the same time, perhaps, putting too much stress on the young individual. Through achieving this goal, the student is able to get their foot in the door, so to speak. However, paying for this education can be costly. I keep on reflecting on the scholarship and financial aid I was given. I definitely think that there should be more of this available to students in China.
Along with schooling, retaining a job and supporting the needs of one’s family, specifically concerning their health, is quite a challenge in China. As stated in China Inside Out, “In 2006, a single average hospital admission at a state hospital cost 12,650 yuan (US $1,870), which is about 90 percent of the average Chine family’s wealth.” As one can see, the imbalance of income to hospital costs is outrageous. If this were the case for most American families, the U.S. would be a seriously screwed up country to live in. And honestly, people would, and do, not stand for it in America. Just reading about China allows me to see how much aid we really are offered. Don’t get me wrong, we have our problems too, perhaps almost too much is given out in the country I live in for free, but at least there is a government who wants to help, not hurt. That is the overall impression I get from this chapter: that I am lucky, and that some serious change needs to occur over in the East. These people work so hard in so much; providing just about every product for the rest of the world, and receiving only deception and secrecy, as well as little protection, from their government. They need better living conditions, and more rights. No wonder they are so anxious, for it is only a natural reaction that when you live in an unstable environment, you yourself will also end up being unstable. In China's case, these instability is expressed in the form of anxiety, and that needs to change.
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