中国民间秘术大全:关注留守儿童

——关注留守儿童 来自《中国日报》

If we seriously believe the oft-made claim that children are future of the country, then we truly have something to worry about.

如果我们还相信“孩子是祖国的未来”这句被反复提及的宣言，那么我们是该有一些担心了。

The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) report on the conditions of children left behind by parents working away from home paints a grim picture that we cannot afford to understate.

全国妇女联合会关于留守儿童（父母在外务工，儿童留守家中）状况的报告为我们描绘了一幅不可等闲视之的惨淡图景。

Many of us have heard about the so-called left-behind children. But not as many people could have anticipated what the ACWF report reveals - more than a quarter of Chinese children who are 17 or younger live apart from one or both of their parents because they are working in places other than in their hometown.

许多人都听到过所谓的留守儿童一词。但是不会有多少人估计到全国妇联报告中结识的真实状况——在中国，四分之一以上的17岁以下儿童由于他们的父母一人或全部在异乡打工而留守家中。

This is no small matter. 这并不是一件无足轻重的事情。

In the eyes of developmental psychology, the early years of life play an essential part not just in forming one's personality, but also in the acquisition of the knowledge and skills that last a person's entire life. Out of respect for their special vulnerability, children in this age group need particular parental care. Few of those left behind are home alone - most are left in the custody of grandparents - but the separation from their parents will inevitably affect their development in less-than-positive ways.

在发展心理学看来，青少年时期对于一个人性格的形成和知识技能的掌握发挥着重要的作用并将影响其一生。出于对其心理脆弱特点的考虑，这一时期的儿童尤其需要父母的关怀。除了极少数独守家中，大部分留守儿童有他们的祖父母监护，但是远离父母仍将不可避免地对他们的成长产生诸多消极的影响。

The ACWF has spearheaded a series of initiatives to promote awareness of the situation. Thanks to its persistent endeavors, various countermeasures are now at work in different communities.

全国妇联已经率先开展了一系列活动以提高对这种形势的认识。由于他们不懈的努力，许多相似的活动已经在不同的社团开展起来。

It is inspiring to see local authorities providing welfare and educational guarantees. Such efforts offer an indispensable compensation for the otherwise unbearable sense of loss these youngsters must cope with as a result of living without parental care.

鼓舞人心的是许多地区政府正在努力为他们提供生活和教育方面的保障。这些努力对于这些留守儿童因远离父母而造成的难以承受的缺失感也是一种必要的慰籍。

But parents are parents. No outside intervention can take their place to ensure the healthy growth of their children, so it would be ideal if fewer children had to live without their parents around.

可怜天下父母心。没有什么能够取代孩子的健康成长在他们心目中的位置。那么让更少的孩子离开他们的父母生活将使我们的理想。

Most Chinese parents foster high hopes for their children. They are tireless custodians, keen on offering meticulous care and support so that their children can lead successful careers and lives.

大多数中国父母对自己的孩子都怀有很高的希望。他们是孜孜不倦的监护人，始终给予孩子无微不至的关怀和支持，一切为了让自己的孩子有一分成功的事业和一个光辉的人生。

Few parents leave their children home because they want to dodge responsibilities. It is more a matter of necessity. Most parents of left-behind children take jobs in cities, where local schools are supposed to focus on serving registered local residents. Non-residents are either left out or face extra charges, which are usually exorbitant even by urban standards.

很少有父母是为了逃避责任而把自己的孩子留在家中。更确切地说那是一件不得以的事。大多数留守儿童的父母在城市工作，而当地的学校则主要招收有当地户口的孩子。非城市的学生或者被拒之门外，或者要交纳通常高于城市标准的借读费。

In such circumstances, most parents choose to leave their kids at home, where they can receive affordable schooling.

在这种情况下，大多数父母选择将孩子留在家乡，因为那里的学费才是他们能够承担的。

This is yet another demonstration of the embarrassing mismatch between the system and reality.

这也从另一个方面体现了体制与现实之间令人尴尬的不和谐。