Teacher Liu, I saw many children in my neighborhood carrying heavy schoolbags and attending all kinds of tutoring classes on weekends. Do Chinese children really face that much study pressure?

Yes, that’s true. In China, there’s a saying: ‘Don’t lose at the starting line.’ Many parents arrange various learning activities for their children from a very young age, fearing they’ll fall behind their peers.

Why is that? In Japan, although there’s also pressure to enter good schools, it doesn’t seem this intense.

It’s mainly because the college entrance exam, or *gaokao*, is extremely important in China. People often say, ‘One exam determines your whole life.’ The *gaokao* score basically decides which university you can enter, and that affects your future job and social status. So the whole family works toward this goal.

I’ve heard of the term ‘chicken baby’. What does it mean?

‘Chicken baby’ refers to parents who constantly push their children to study, like giving them a ‘shot of chicken blood’ to energize them. Nowadays, many parents have become ‘chicken baby parents’, filling their children’s schedules with tutoring classes.

Is that good for the kids? I think childhood should be happier.

You’re right. Recently, the government introduced the ‘Double Reduction’ policy to ease students’ academic burden. More and more parents are reflecting on this, hoping their children can grow up healthier and happier instead of just chasing grades.