Kindergarten Wedding Ceremony Provokes Debate in China

More than 100 children from Yaolan Kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital city of central China's Henan Province, participated in a mock wedding ceremony on January 11, 2013, provoking heated discussion across the country.

More than 100 children from Yaolan Kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital city of central China's Henan Province, participated in a mock wedding ceremony on January 11, 2013, provoking heated discussion across the country. [Zhengzhou Evening News]

During the mock wedding ceremony, the boys and girls dressed up in small suits and wedding dresses and told each other "I love you." The boys also kneeled down, putting rings on the fingers of the girls. Some of the new 'couples' even kissed each other.

According to a representative of the kindergarten, the activity was held to teach the children about the roles of men and women and to encourage responsibility and sociability.

"Children start to be aware of affectionate feelings from the age of 3 to 6 and some of them will show their feelings through sharing candies with their peers or saying 'I like you' directly," said the head of the kindergarten. "Some boys and girls even talk about getting married."

More than 100 children from Yaolan Kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital city of central China's Henan Province, participated in a mock wedding ceremony on January 11, 2013, provoking heated discussion across the country. [Zhengzhou Evening News]

Many parents of the children also attended the ceremony and showed their support for the activity.

However, some have criticized the activity, saying that it could distort children's understanding of love, marriage and sex.

Many website users posted their comments on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter, saying that the activity was ridiculous and would cause children to lose their innocence too early.

Despite the debate, most people were of the opinion that the activity is just a game and that it is hard to tell if it will have a real impact on children's opinions on love and sex.

Some educational experts believe that the kindergarten's intentions were good, but the form that such education should take remains open to question.

(Source: informationtimes.dayoo.com &zzwb.zynews.com / Translated by womenofchina.cn)