Parents Place High Emphasis On Academic Achievements Over Health

More than two-thirds of Hong Kong parents value academic results over their child's health, a poll has found.

While 72.2 percent of parents rated academic performance as "extremely important", only 10.9 percent cited "health condition" as "extremely important" according to a survey released Sunday.

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The findings follow Chinese-American author Amy Chua's bestseller earlier this year about her no-nonsense child-rearing style, which sparked a flurry of criticism over strict "Chinese" parenting versus more relaxed Western methods.

In her book, Chua recounts an ultra-strict regime of piano lessons and homework for her daughters, arguing that for Asian immigrant families in the United States, pushing children hard is the key to getting ahead.

Hong Kong is known for its pressure-cooker style examination system, with parents placing high emphasis on academic achievements.

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Local ten-year-old twins have sailed through British high school exams. Estephe and his sister Perrine Corlin scored straight "As" in maths papers that are normally taken by 16-year-olds, with their mother attributing their success to a gruelling schedule.

Sunday's survey also found that Hong Kong parents are prone to pampering their children and catering to their every whim.

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Eighty-seven percent of parents said they had hired domestic helpers to take care of their children at home.

About half of the respondents said they would take leave from work immediately if their children forgot to take homework or lunchboxes to school.

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The survey, conducted by shopping mall group Plaza Hollywood, interviewed 629 parents with children aged between three and 16.

Source-AFP