Psychological Health of Children in Poverty-stricken Areas Worrying: Report

School-age children in poverty-stricken areas in China suffer more psychological problems than those in urban areas, according to an education report released on April 20.

The study, by the Beijing-based think tank 21st Century Education Research Institute, said that the most common problems are related to personality, emotions, behavior and adaptability to study.

The proportion of rural children displaying seriously problematic behavior including leaving home, playing truant, stealing, destruction of properties and cheating at school is nearly twice that found among their urban counterparts.

Children in township schools in particular have a raft of psychological problems due to their drab boarding life and a lack of parenting, the report concludes.

According to the investigation, rural schools in poverty-stricken areas have a much higher boarding rate than urban schools. Over 60 percent of rural schools had boarders numbering 50 to 300, among which "left-behind" children (those whose parents have left them to go and work in the cities) comprised 56.3 percent.

The report also outlined a trend among younger ages of committing juvenile crime based on its survey in 12 provinces and autonomous regions last year. Among juvenile delinquency by minors of 14 to 18 years old, 35 percent were committed by minors at the age of 16 and 31.2 percent were committed by minors at the age of 15. Crimes committed by minors at the age of 14 increased to 20.11 percent, in comparison to 12.3 percent in 2001.

Shortcomings in family education, making friends with those who exert bad influence, lack of legal knowledge and lack of school education were cited as key factors causing delinquent minors, said the report.

(Source: Beijing Times/Translated and edited by Women of China)