China Elections and Governance translates an essay by a Chinese parent reflecting on their child’s entrance into the Young Pioneers:
“Today my son can be happy, he can finally wear the red scarf,” said one mother.
“Such a small child. Is it necessary for him to ‘resolve to contribute to the communist forces’? Does he know what communism is?” one father asked.
Another father replied: “Nowadays how many adults really understand communism? For that matter, how many officials truly understand what it is to ‘contribute to the communist forces'”?
“Such small children living with such big fakery!” declared the first father.
“Education is still so politicized and behind the times” said my friend, a young high school principal. His son is in another class, but for these words to come out of his mouth—I was quite surprised.
