A small community affair that has sparked heated debate on the Internet. Recently, a community in Xingtai, Hebei Province, organized a "good daughter-in-law for the mother-in-law foot washing" activities, after the local publicity, triggered a lot of questions. The community responded that the event was organized to promote the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, "Now the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in rural areas is not good, we are also engaged in this activity to enhance the family culture and family education, and often tree new winds, to promote family harmony."
The netizen's question, mostly focused on the form of this activity is greater than the content, and will even play a counterproductive; or question the form itself, and is not the need to advocate a new civilization. The community to create a "touched, grateful, happy" atmosphere, in the feedback of public opinion encountered a pot of cold water, the two how to form a strong contrast?
In terms of form alone, different people have different understandings. Some understand it as a manifestation of traditional filial piety culture, while others understand it as the shadow of oppression of women in feudal dregs. In fact, foot-washing activities are not uncommon, from the public service announcement "Wash Mom's Feet" to activities advocated by schools and communities on Mother's Day, you can see such publicity reports. All these publicity and activities have not aroused any queries because they advocate filial piety and love from the younger generation to their elders, with no distinction or emphasis on gender in between. This time, when it comes to the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, there is room for controversy beyond filial piety.
Washing feet as a relatively private individual behavior, in real life, unless the other party needs help, is generally not a common way to express love between people. A daughter-in-law washing her mother-in-law's feet can easily remind people of the feudal society where married women followed the rules of female commandments and virtues, and the meaning of "filial piety" is weakened, while the perception of "obedience" is more prominent.
It's easy to see why the community's intention to promote mother-in-law-daughter-in-law relations is so relevant. Not only in rural areas, but also in the city, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is an unavoidable problem. Many families need the elderly to help with the children in order to keep the family running. This has led to a situation where many families in China have adult children living with their parents. With the different mindsets, lifestyles and other differences between the two generations, friction can arise even between the parents of the children, not to mention mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, who are unrelated and have not previously crossed paths in their lives.
In the generational differences, only mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual tolerance, children are grateful to their parents to pay, parents follow the times forward, in order to make several generations of the same family more beautiful and harmonious. There is grace and affection, washing feet or not, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law problems will not become a big problem. The community's original intention is worth recognizing, but the way it promotes the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can also be a great way to keep up with the times, the daughter-in-law can give her mother-in-law make-up, take pictures, and team up for a square dance competition ...... In short, in addition to foot washing, the expression of love, the way to promote the relationship, and a lot more.