Chapter 9 Response

One of the most interesting points that Dodson made was about Chinese parents' tendency to spoil their only child. This does not come as a shock to me, considering that it is the tendency of most parents to spoil their child if they only had one kid. Yet, the aftermath of this spoilage is greatly similar to the United States. We are amidst a generation that is made up of these greedy, selfish, and insensitive children. The result of parents harboring their children from everything that could be "detrimental" to their growth is actually harming them more because they don't know how to react when things don't go as they had planned. This results in behavioral issues, commitment issues, and immaturity. Unfortunately, Dodson confirmed that this problem is not only a national American problem, but rather and international problem.

Another interesting point was the result of fewer workers supporting retired pensions. In the future, with only two Chinese workers supporting one retired Chinese, it will be almost impossible, if not impossible, for Chinese citizens to get by. Combining this information with the 8-4-3-1(or 2) factor, I really can't see how the Chinese working class will survive. If one or both individuals in the couple are working, they have to support themselves, their child, each extended set of parents, and possibly grandparents on top of supplying half of a retired citizen's pension. Going back to the second chapter, no wonder why these people have such great anxiety! If that's not enough to stretch their money, the housing costs, education costs, and health care only add to that. At least in America, their is more than one child supporting our parents as well as more workers contributing to social security than in China. Even though the social security factor is up in the air for the future, the outcomes look more promising than what is to come for Chinese citizens. 

Haley Martin