From Chinese Press

The tragedy of a mother

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-20 08:01

Han Qunfeng, a resident of Dongguan, Guangdong province, quit her job 13 years ago to take care of her twin sons whose brains were "paralyzed". But unable to take their suffering anymore, she was compelled to kill them last year. As her trial nears, more than 1,000 people have appealed that she be given a lighter sentence. Indeed, her tragedy deserves society's heartfelt sympathy, says an article on eastday.com. Excerpts:

Very few people would have dared to even see, let alone take care of the two physically and mentally challenged children. But Han did. After watching their pathetic condition for 13 years, however, she could not bear it anymore and took the drastic step.

It's right that she should be tried for her actions. But the appeal of so many people should teach us a lesson. Their sympathy is for Han the mother who endured the pain, suffering and hardship for 13 years.

Parents are indeed obliged to take care of their children. And this obligation is what an ordinary family pines for. But the case of Han was far from ordinary.

Chinese people attach a lot of importance to social ethics. Behind the tragedy of people like Han is the lack of ethical institutional support. The Hans of this world need all possible social help from all possible quarters to fulfill their responsibilities.

It is time that laws underwent a change for the better. Apart from defining parents' obligations toward their children, laws should also stipulate the roles of government and related organizations in helping people like Han. If society doesn't learn the proper lesson, such tragedies may recur.

(China Daily 05/20/2011 page9)