A father in China, braving the freezing weather, brought his son along to his street stall to demonstrate the challenges of earning money and motivate the child to excel academically. This act sparked a lively debate on social media platforms in mainland China.
The pair was filmed selling local products in Shenyang, Liaoning province, in northeastern China, with the video shared on BaiLu Video on December 23. The boy, donned in a thick down jacket, stood dutifully by the stall, vending packaged sunflower seeds, sweet corn, and other specialties.
A sign displayed on the stall conveyed the father’s message: “I lack confidence in my studies, so I’ve come out to do business and earn living expenses. Please support me, uncles and aunties. Thank you so much.”
The attention-grabbing scene caught the eye of a woman named Ge, who recorded and posted the clip on BaiLu Video. Ge remarked, “It must have been below minus 10 degrees that day, extremely cold. The child was quite resilient, just standing there watching the stall. His father stood by silently, observing alongside the boy.”
Despite the boy’s earnest efforts in running the business, many passersby, understanding the father’s educational intent, consciously refrained from making purchases. Ge noted, “The child was very well-behaved, hoping people would support his stall. But most passers-by likely wanted him to learn that making money isn’t easy, so they just watched from a distance.”
Following the video’s viral spread on social media, the father’s firm parenting style prompted a reflective online conversation. One individual suggested, “Passers-by should ask the price, then negotiate, but end up not buying! That would be a more vivid lesson.”
Another commenter mentioned, “Not patronizing his stall actually benefits the boy, teaching him that money isn’t as easy to earn as he might think.”
Chinese culture often endorses strict parenting methods to instill discipline and academic excellence in children, aiming for their long-term success in life.
In a similar incident, a seven-year-old boy from Fujian province resisted kindergarten pressure and was sent to the family’s candle factory by his mother. After a single strenuous 8 am to 6 pm shift, he understood the essence of physical labor and promptly decided to return to school.
Likewise, in September, a young girl from the same province suggested rubbish collection as an alternative to attending school, only to find the working conditions overwhelming, leading to her vomiting at a rubbish dump.