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Wu Shaoan (www.qianlong.com): The social roles of males and females are decided by the structure of society. In an agricultural society, men are expected to be physically strong because they are major laborers and are responsible for the safety of their families. Meanwhile, women are supposed to be obedient and gentle because they are responsible for housework and needlework.
In modern society, thanks to the protection of laws and regulations, men don't need to be so physically strong to protect their families. Work for men is no longer limited to farm work. More women now prefer men who are well-educated and considerate. At the same time, women are occupying important positions in all walks of life. Female leaders need to be capable and resolute and thus some women are beginning to act in a manly way.
The change of gender standards comes from the change in the social structure, and it represents the progress of society because things develop toward a direction that meets modern social demands. The method of the middle school in Zhengzhou is doomed to fail, because the school is attempting to re-establish the old standards for personality. It will cut students' connection with the ever-changing society. Those standards are forced on the students and deprive them of their freedom of choice.
Diguo Liangmin (nf.nfdaily.cn): Although today's young people show a tendency of gender neutralization, most of the children still conform to their gender roles. There seems to be excessive concern over Chinese children's gender neutralization. After all, it is still the boys who enjoy playing football and basketball. Meanwhile, it is the girls who enjoy dressing up beautifully and putting on make up. Adolescents are fashion followers, and sometimes they might go further in their dress or behavior in order to show their individualism. It's nothing but a kind of impulse of youth, and it should never be exaggerated.
Jin Xuesi (www.tianjinwe.com): I am worried that the standards set by the middle school in Zhengzhou might hurt those boy students who are not seen as "manly" enough and girl students who are not seen as "ladylike." According to the standards, students who have good academic performance or who are good looking are more likely to be selected as models. The selection may be transformed into another talent-show. When the 44 role model students are labeled as examples for the rest, how many others will feel inferior and humiliated?
Dong Hongda (www.nen.com.cn): It is not realistic to set up certain standards in order to make up for the lack of gender education. The concept of "manly" boys and "ladylike" girls put forward by the middle school is not clear enough. Besides, there are various types of people who are seen as "manly" and "ladylike." We can't expect all boys and girls behave in accordance with the same standards.
In my opinion, being "manly" or "ladylike" is a personal characteristic. "Manly" boys and "ladylike" girls are not necessarily the best boys or best girls. Why can't a girl be manly and become a policewoman? Why can't a boy go shopping together with a girl or be a waiter? If some standards must be set up for students, these norms should not treat boys and girls differently. All boys and girls should be encouraged to have good manners and lofty ideals. Every student should be respected and given more freedom, so that they can fully tap the potential of their capability and fully show their individualism. If codes of conduct are set up for boys and girls differently, students' personality development will unfortunately be restricted.
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