Relationships with opposite-gender peers: the ‘fine line’ between an acceptable and unacceptable ‘liking’ amongst children in a Chinese rural primary school

Chinese young people’s diverse experiences with heterosexual romantic relationships in various high school contexts

“…Similarly, it was notable that the negative aspects of heterosexual romantic relationships were highlighted under heteronormativity in China, specifically for girls. Like the suggestion given by Lulu’s father, all schoolteachers had demonised boys in heterosexual romantic relationships, warning girls against ‘early love’ (see also Zhu et al, 2022). In the interview with Dapeng, a male homeroom teacher and moral education officer at the vocational high school unpacked this situation:…”

“…Studies indicate that young people’s desire for intimacy and heterosexual romantic relationships is common and natural (Farrer, 2014; Zhu et al, 2022). However, in China’s context, for a long time, establishing heterosexual romantic relationships has been recognised as something unacceptable and unrespectable (Aresu, 2009; Liang et al, 2017) for children and young people in school ages (Zhu et al, 2022).…”

“…Studies indicate that young people’s desire for intimacy and heterosexual romantic relationships is common and natural (Farrer, 2014; Zhu et al, 2022). However, in China’s context, for a long time, establishing heterosexual romantic relationships has been recognised as something unacceptable and unrespectable (Aresu, 2009; Liang et al, 2017) for children and young people in school ages (Zhu et al, 2022). Although children and young people’s behaviours could resist adult education and restrictions on their behaviours in their everyday lives, they could also enforce some adult-sanctioned values (Zhu, 2022).…”

“…However, it is impossible to suppress young people’s romantic adventures (Zhu, 2022; Zhu et al, 2022). Also, it was noticeable that these young people actively negotiate with various norms about sexuality, which they have learned from adults, peers and other resources, such as social media, to give meaning to their perceptions and experiences of heterosexual romantic relationships.…”

(Re)Constructing equality, diversity, and inclusion in Chinese childhoods: Intersectional perspectives and transdisciplinary approaches

“…Children and Young people’s perceptions and experiences of sexuality identity, practice and relationships, a series of topics that are traditionally constructed as ‘sensitive’ and ‘taboo’ in Chinese social, cultural and moral norms, have gradually attracted scholars’ attention in China (Zhu et al, 2022). When exploring these topics, there is an increasing awareness of the significance of listening to young people’s voices directly to let them tell their own stories.…”