159
importance to them in enablingthem to rear the rest of their family. Frankly the present alternative to the customs is the death of infant girls by deliberate exposure or slow starvation.
The magnitude of the problem will be realiseu when it is stated that practically every household in Hong Kong which can afford to do so keeps one or more of these mui tsai, There is no evidence that these girls are generally ill-treated. The Chinese as a nation are kind to children, and these girls are
generally kindly treateu. To a very considerable extent they are protected by the interference of neighbours who intervene much more freely than in the į case of a parent's own children, and by public opinion: which recognises the special responsibilities of employers with regard to these children.
It must be remembered that Chinese are above a intolerant of interference in family affairs, and wo interfere in these affairs as little as possible. Chinese civilization is based on family and village, life, to an extent ion is quite foleiga and unfamiliar to western eyes, and it is no doubt owing to this feature that Chinese civilisation has persisted so long unchanged amidst many political cataclysms.
It is in fact impossible to impose western ideas on
family
Chinese/life, and reforms can only be introduced
gradually with the co-operation of the mors enlighteni members of the community.
As regards action by the Goverment, case of
cruelty are freely reported, and are promptly enquared
into,
and when necessary prosecutions are instituteu.
In this work the Government are very greatly assisted
by the Po Lueng Kuk, a Chinese institution which
concerns itself with the welfare of women and childr
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.