A touching story about a teacher who created a “worry box” for her primary school students has gained traction online. The teacher found that the notes left in the box, where the children could express their concerns and worries, shed light on common family issues in China. The story has resonated with many people on social media.
A teacher in Shanxi province, China, created a “worry box” for her Primary Five students to anonymously write down their concerns as a way to alleviate anxiety and prevent further harm.
The teacher’s creation of a “worry box” for her primary school students was praised online as a helpful method for students to express their worries anonymously. However, it was revealed that many of the concerns written by the students related to common family problems, such as parental conflict and separation, at a time when youth’s mental health is getting more attention.
A student left a note saying, “My parents always fight over money.”
The “worry box” was filled with concerns the children had about their parents. Image | Douyin
Another child wrote: “My mum and dad had a fight. They decided to divorce each other and fought a lot to get custody of my 3-year-old brother. Dad won custody, and Mum cried all day long because of this.
“I kept thinking every day, ‘Why couldn’t Dad let Mum keep my brother? Why didn’t my brother choose mum?’”
Another student wrote: “My parents work in another city and don’t come back often,” “my family is poor and I’m afraid of doing things wrong.”
A netizen commented, “Most of these worries are either about their parents or educational performance. I wonder when kids in China will be able to grow up happily and healthily.”
