In the countryside, traditional parents avoid flattery, and the mother's responses were automatic-it was like knocking her knee with a rubber hammer. She didn't want to spoil the child, but there was also the Chinese superstition that pride attracts misfortune.
In rural areas, traditional parenting styles are characterized by a lack of flattery. Parents, particularly mothers, respond in predictable ways that reflect their desire to prevent spoiling their children. This approach resembles the reflexive response of a knee jerk reaction, indicating a deep-seated belief in maintaining discipline.
Additionally, there is a cultural superstition in China that suggests pride can lead to misfortune. This belief reinforces the idea that parents must be cautious in their praise, emphasizing humility to protect their children from potential negative consequences. The combination of traditional values and superstitions shapes how parents interact with their children in these communities.
