Teachers must respect students, too
Recent scandals including sexual abuse at universities in China bring into question the power imbalance in teacher-student relationships; it’s time to address this issue
The need for students to show respect for their teachers is deeply embedded in Chinese culture.
This tradition of reverence is consistent both with Confucian values and the importance attached to education in China. The holding of teachers in such high esteem has, for generations, led to close relationships forming between them and their students.
These relationships often go beyond merely educational needs and are more akin to those of family members.
While there are many positives in such relationships, in which teachers and university professors act as mentors or even life coaches for their students, they are open to abuse.
Recent scandals at mainland Chinese universities have highlighted the need to ensure that student-teacher relationships remain within proper bounds and that teachers do not take advantage of their exalted positions.
Two scholars have been fired by universities following allegations of sexual abuse.