Catch Phrase | 恐辅症(kǒngfǔzhèng)

Writer: Debra Li  | Editor: Stephanie Yang  | From:  | Updated: 2019-01-28

Meaning:

“恐” means “fear,” “辅” means “tutoring a child on his homework” and “症” means “syndrome” or “disorder.” The word is coined recently by Chinese netizens to describe a common emotional status of young Chinese parents who are facing immense homework-related stress.

An article that went viral on the Internet two years ago resurfaced lately and started a new round of Internet memes with a satirical take on raising primary school children. In one of the most reposted responses, a mother says: “I sat with my fifth-grade kid to help him with his homework, then I had a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital... After thinking twice, I decided that life was more important. Now when it comes to homework, I just go with the flow.”

Chinese parents complain that the current “happy education” policy for primary students has shifted teaching responsibility from schools to parents, as children still face rigorous selection criteria if they want to attend elite middle and high schools.

Example:

A: 我们家一到做作业时间就变成了战场。结婚前我是个从不大声说话的淑女,可现在十分钟内就会河东狮吼。

Wǒmenjiā yīdà zuòzuòyè shíjiān jiù biànchéngle zhànchǎng。Jiéhūnqián wǒ shìge cóngbù dàshēng shuōhuà de shūnǚ,kě xiànzài shífēnzhōng nèi jiùhuì hédōngshīhǒu。

My home turns into a battlefield whenever it’s homework time. I was a perfect lady who never raised my voice before I got married. But whenever I sit with my kid to go through his homework, I am shouting at the top of my lungs within 10 minutes.

B: 你这是恐辅症啊。Nǐm zhèshì kǒngfǔzhèng a。

I see you are suffering from immense homework-related stress.