Kids the ones who suffer from parents' focus on their future

MANY MIDDLE-CLASS PARENTS in China seem in a state of permanent anxiety about their children's future, fearing that if they don't develop any artistic talent or lag behind in education they will be a loser for the rest of their lives. China Youth Daily comments:

Such a mentality is understandable, as the huge demand means quality education resources are scare. As a result the best schools set enrollment tests so they can select the best students, that requires the kids to have the knowledge that they are supposed to learn in higher grades.

And children only qualify to sit these tests if the parents own a house in the schools' catchment areas, which may mean buying a new property for that purpose. That could cost millions of yuan in big cities, thus fending off children from poorer families.