Granny State

Grannies need help to raise our kids, say parents--Shanghai Daily:

THOUGH grandparents help raise nearly 90 percent of local babies, about 70 percent of parents are unsatisfied with the way they do it, according to a recent survey by the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Committee.

Rarely has a government organization had a more sinister sounding name.

The survey of 200,000 families with a child aged under three in 34 sub-districts and towns found an increasingly urgent demand for more scientific guidance for grandparents on pre-education.

About 71.5 percent of families hope to get expert advice on scientific concepts and attitudes as well as systematic guidance on rearing a baby.

Another 27.6 percent are mostly concerned about standard upbringing methods and solutions to common problems.

Almost all families want training, home service and regular examinations, as well as audiovisual reference materials.

Baby Einstein DVDS?

The survey revealed 76.5 percent of babies live with the grandparents and in many cases the parents do, too.

In more than half families, grandparents are in charge of caring for the baby.

Only 42.8 percent of parents take the main responsibility for bringing up their child. Another 2.3 percent hire a baby sitter to look after the infant.

Fewer than three percent of families have children fostered at others' homes.

Among the surveyed families, more than 83 percent believed it was necessary for grandparents to have pre-education guidance in modern families.

The whole idea of relying on the government to teach you (or your parents) how to raise your children brings to mind this classic by Saint Paul from way back in '03. After all these years, it stands the test of time.