A boy helps to lift a tree trunk during a summer training camp in Shenyang, Liaoning province. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)
The recent news of a proposal from the Ministry of Education to boost "masculinity" among boys by raising the number of gym classes brought back a painful memory of early adolescence for Lyu Yang.
The 36-year-old computer engineer in Shanghai once experienced excruciating agony during a game while attending senior high school in Kunming, Yunnan province.
It was called "Game X", in which the boys chose an "X man" randomly from the class, lifting him up with his arms and legs extended like the letter X.
The boys threatened to ram the victim's crotch into a hard object－usually a pillar in the building or railings at the corner of the stairs. Lyu was the boy most often chosen as the "X man".
"Maybe it was because I was short and thin and always got high scores in exams. The game was probably the only opportunity the other boys had to beat me, physically at least," he said.
In most cases, Lyu said the game was played under rational controls.
"After all, it was not a serious attack. The other boys were usually satisfied with the victim's fear and the sense of conquest," he said with a helpless smile.
One day, an accident occurred: several boys lifted Lyu up and pushed his crotch into the corner of a desk, resulting in a bruised and swollen testicle. Lyu stayed home for a week and recovered fully.
"After that, I was reluctant to take part in any team sports. I felt bad around other males, especially when a large crowd gathered," he said. "The recent proposal from the ministry reminded me of the reason I got hurt: I was not as 'manly' as boys are supposed to be."
Dated language
So what exactly is a man supposed to be in China?
A 2014 study of gender stereotypes in China by William Jankowiak, a professor of anthropology at the University of Nevada in the United States, discovered that some of the words most frequently used to describe men and women had not changed in the 30-plus years since 1980.
However, the growing appeal of "pretty boy" and "handsome girl" superstars in China in recent years seems to have challenged people's traditional impressions of the country's men and women
According to the study, men were expected to be strong, aggressive, rude and serious, while women should characteristically be gentle, quiet and bashful.
However, the growing appeal of "pretty boy" and "handsome girl" superstars in China in recent years seems to have challenged people's traditional impressions of the country's men and women.
During last year's two sessions－the country's most important annual political event－Si Zefu, a national political adviser, expressed concerns about the "feminization" trend among teenage boys.
Si, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said many teenage Chinese boys are weak, timid and often have low self-esteem.
"If not checked, the feminization trend among teenagers will harm China's development," he said, and suggested schools should play a greater role in ensuring young males receive a "balanced education".
Responding to Si's suggestion, the Ministry of Education recently released a proposal to prevent the feminization of male adolescents.
Under the proposal, local education departments will be required to raise the number of gym teachers and tweak physical education classes to "cultivate masculinity" among younger male students.
Schools will also be required to assess the intensity of the exercise in PE classes and "vigorously develop" contact sports such as soccer.
Supporters, detractors
The proposal triggered widespread debate. On Sina Weibo, a popular social media platform, some supporters attributed the feminization of boys to the influence of "Little Fresh Meat" idols, a reference to young male icons regarded as squeaky-clean and well-groomed, and boasting delicate features.
Opponents criticized it as displaying a sexist bias. "The proposal has an implicit attitude, which stands against the diversity of society from a gender stereotype perspective. Moreover, it makes 'feminization' sounds like a negative word," commented Weibo user "Romance".
During last year's two sessions－the country's most important annual political event－Si Zefu, a national political adviser, expressed concerns about the "feminization" trend among teenage boys
In fact, gender stereotypes about intellectual ability emerge early and influence children's interests, according to research published in the journal Science in 2017. It showed that common stereotypes associate high-level intellectual ability with men more than women.
These stereotypes discourage women from pursuing many prestigious careers. For example, they are underrepresented in fields where brilliance is "cherished", such as physics and philosophy.
Moreover, these stereotypes are endorsed by, and affect the interests of, children as young as 6.
Zhang Yaohua, founder of the You&Me Sexuality Education Platform, one of China's biggest promoters of sex education, said: "Gender differences do exist. But we should be alert if the stereotypes of different genders begin to influence our expectations of men and women or even result in an unhealthy standard to value people of a different gender."
ALSO READ: Pitting masculinity against femininity is a mistake
According to Zhang, previous studies indicated that the influence of gender stereotypes, even those only experienced during childhood, can affect people for a long time and even have a negative impact on their attitudes toward marriage and the next generation.
"Moreover, many issues associated with school bullying are related to gender stereotypes," he said.
According to some reports on school violence conducted by NGOs that promote gender equality, a sizable number of students in China's high schools and colleges have been bullied because they failed to meet general social expectations of their gender.
A trainer delivers a lecture about gender issues to teachers in Longxian county, Shaanxi province. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)
Gender schemas
Sandra Bem, a US psychologist who studied gender issues for decades, believed gender schemas－which assert that children learn about male and female roles from the culture in which they live－were limiting for men, women and society.
She said that raising children free from these stereotypes and limitations would lead to greater freedom and fewer restrictions on free will.
Having been told to be "strong and brave", boys may be afraid to express fear or weaknesses
Liu Wenli, associate professor of education at the State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning at Beijing Normal University, said: "Parents, teachers and social media are all factors that influence a child's understanding of different genders. Education, if conducted via gender stereotypes, will bring negative influences, not only to boys but also girls."
For example, having been told to be "strong and brave", boys may be afraid to express fear or weaknesses. Conversely, a girl who lives in a society with low recognition of female academic or work performance may be less motivated to attempt high achievement at school or in jobs.
ALSO READ: Taking apart toxic masculinity
"In addition, gender stereotypes will affect how they value themselves as well as other people. And they may lose the opportunity to gain more diverse knowledge because of such negative influences," Liu said.
To reduce the influence of gender stereotypes, she suggested parents should pay more attention to preschool education, which plays a crucial role in early gender recognition.
Also, parents should reflect on their own understanding of gender differences and avoid adopting a biased attitude.
"Communication between parents is also important, and they should encourage their children to meet more people to learn about individual differences," Liu said.
A girl who lives in a society with low recognition of female academic or work performance may be less motivated to attempt high achievement at school or in job
"Last, but not least, we should encourage children to be themselves and not allow gender stereotypes to limit their future potential."
What they say
The masculinity we talk about not only refers to physical appearance, it also means the hopes and expectations we have for young boys due to China's cultural background, such as being independent, confident and brave. Those traits suit both boys and girls: the girls can be braver and work harder, and the boys can be more loving and patient.
Xiao Jing, doctoral tutor in clinical psychology at Capital Normal University in Beijing
The Ministry of Education's decision to boost masculinity is based on gender discrimination and gender stereotypes. This type of education policy will encourage gender stereotypes and boost bullying and violence against students with nontraditional dispositions, gender identity and sexual orientation. I am worried that "feminine" boys and transgender students may face discrimination because of this policy.
Cui Le, doctoral student in gender and education studies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand
Although the Ministry of Education originally wanted to develop gender education for teenagers objectively, its proposal still stands for an outdated traditional view and its existence goes against the tide of history. To fight against discrimination based on gender, we need to overturn certain traditional ideas.
Boys from Sihong county, Jiangsu province, practice basketball at a summer camp last year. (XU CHANGLIANG / XINHUA)
Liu Minghui, professor with the School of Law at China Women's University in Beijing
Our current education assessment system puts too much emphasis on grades, so teachers usually prefer obedient students who get higher grades, and they are the ones who usually receive more praise and attention. As a result, some children tend to suppress themselves and behave in a more obedient and submissive way and eliminate their masculinity. We need to reform the education evaluation system, so pupils can be who they are and have more diverse personalities.
Chu Zhaohui, senior researcher with the National Institute of Education Sciences in Beijing
I think more male teachers should be included in elementary and secondary schools-that can be done by letting decommissioned soldiers enter the education field-because the lack of male teachers in those schools tend to make the pupils less masculine. Although we should not label gender as 'masculine' and 'feminine', the two still need to be balanced well for the good of society. I also believe that providing children with sex education from an early age will help them cultivate gender consciousness.
Zhu Yongxin, member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-president of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy