A video clip showing a Chinese couple allowing their 4-year-old son to run naked during a snowstorm with the temperature dipping to -13 C in New York, where they were enjoying a holiday, has sparked an online controversy, says an article on people.com.cn. Excerpts:

The boy's father, surnamed He, calls himself "Eagle Dad". He says he follows the parenting style of eagles, which are known to push their chicks off cliffs so that they learn to fly by desperately flapping their wings.

Despite the controversy, the approach of the "Eagle Dad" is understandable to some extent. The 4-year-old boy, Duoduo, was born premature and suffered a series of medical complications before a set of tough physical training and mental education programs designed by his father helped him in his physical and mental development.

But the debate should not stop at the tough approach of some parents. Instead, we should focus on the best ways to bring up children in these fast changing times.

Different families use different ways to bring up children, but all of them should abide by the Law on the Protection of Minors. Parents should pay full attention to minors' physical and mental conditions, and ensure that the habits their offspring pick up help them think and act positively.

As long as parents fulfill these preconditions, they can employ different methods to bring up children. Every child has distinctive characters. Some children grow up to be successful and compassionate adults under the guidance of "eagle dads" or "tiger moms". Others are equally successful and compassionate growing up under more considerate elders.

Moreover, parents should not only aim to get their children admitted to famous universities and make them financially successful. They should also try to build their children's character and conscience.

(China Daily 02/09/2012 page9)