BIZCHINA> Insights
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BIZCHINA> Insights
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Mind the gap
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-14 13:58
"It is visible in the classrooms, in the dormitories, or even between students sharing the same desk. This on-campus wealth gap can only negatively impact the values, activities and mental states of students, particularly poor ones," she said. "Some poor students even suffer depression and, if they do not get help from teachers or psychologists, the long-term effects could hamper the development of healthy personalities." She explained most students from rich families are extroverted, and active in making friends and taking part in activities. In contrast, poor students often avoid crowds and prefer to be alone.
"When we organize class activities, such as spring outings, most of the participants are usually students from relatively wealthy families," said Li Xue, 23, who studies garment design at Dalian Polytechnic University in Liaoning province. "Even if the trip is funded by the university, poor students still tend not to join in." Li, whose parents own a heating company, added: "We honestly don't look down on poorer students but they just seem too proud to receive our help. They do not need to be like this. We are just classmates." In July, 22-year-old Li Li was jailed for robbing a bank on the campus of the Beijing University of Science and Technology and taking a fellow student hostage. The automation scholar, who hails from a poor village in Jiangxi province, turned to crime when he failed to find a job after running out of money, said police. His classmates and relatives both said Li Li had very high self-esteem but was ashamed of his poor background.
"They do not want others to know about their situation and they unconsciously turn away when teachers or classmates offer help," said Su, who added that 42 percent of her subjects said they would turn down any form of help if it means exposing their situation in the media or on the Internet. "As opposed to senior or middle school, university life has more diverse criteria for 'good' students than simply good grades. But for poor students who are used to gaining self-respect from exam results, it is a big and sudden change in atmosphere. Apart from studying hard, they have little chance to develop other talents or hobbies because of their financial situation," she said. The obvious wealth gap on campus is a challenge universities have been urged to address. (For more biz stories, please visit Industries)
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