Written By Lisa Murimi
A recent incident where two women locked a crying toddler in an airplane toilet has ignited a heated debate in China about the treatment of children in public spaces.
The controversy began when one of the women, Gou Tingting, posted a video of herself carrying the child into the cubicle, claiming she was trying to help other passengers on the flight from Guiyang to Shanghai on 24 August.
The airline, Juneyao Airlines, later stated that the toddler’s grandmother had given the women permission to “educate” the child, who had been crying during the flight.
In the video, one woman is heard telling the child she could only leave the cubicle if she stopped crying.
The video quickly went viral, sparking backlash online. Many criticized Gou for her lack of empathy and accused her of “bullying” the child.
In response, Gou defended her actions, saying she was trying to calm the child for the benefit of other passengers.
The incident has fueled a broader discussion in China about how to manage “bear children,” a term used to describe spoiled kids who misbehave in public.
While some defended the women’s actions, others called for more understanding and better accommodations for young children in public spaces.
