BEIJING: An elderly Chinese couple reported their granddaughter to the police after she took 20,000 yuan (US$3,000) and a gold bracelet from their home without permission, igniting intense discussions online.
The woman, identified by her surname Chen and hailing from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, received a six-month jail sentence for theft, along with a fine of 2,000 yuan, according to the Legal Daily on Sept 1.
Chen had taken the money and jewellery from her grandparents while her grandfather was napping at home.
Subsequently, she sold the gold bracelet for over 27,000 yuan and squandered the entire amount.
Even during her trial, she maintained that she should be acquitted of all charges, stating: “It is my grandparents’ money that I took. They will forgive me and won’t hold me accountable. This is our family matter.”
However, the elderly couple opted not to grant her forgiveness.
They said that they had indulged their granddaughter, whom they described as lazy and always wanting to “reap without sowing.”
Previously, she had taken other valuables from their home, each time of greater worth.
Consequently, they decided to utilise legal measures as a means to educate her.
The sentence Chen received sparked passionate discussions on Chinese social media.
“She must have repeatedly stolen their money and ultimately disappointed them,” commented one observer.
“The grandparents acted appropriately. This isn’t solely about the money; it’s an opportunity for her to completely reform,” remarked another.
Some believed the elderly couple had overreacted.
“They could have resolved the issue privately, but instead, they chose to push her into a corner and jeopardise her future,” remarked an online commenter.
Traditional Chinese values regard the family as a collective, where parents often share their wealth with children, regardless of their age.
For instance, Chinese parents typically cover their children’s educational expenses even as they pursue advanced degrees.
It is also common for young couples buying property to tap into the so-called “six wallets,” referring to pooling their savings alongside those of their parents and in-laws.
In recent years, another term, “full-time children,” has emerged to describe this traditional Chinese familial dynamic, wherein more young adults live with their parents and function as household carers in exchange for monetary support.
For parents with substantial pensions who can financially support their children, this “salary” is perceived by some as a new form of pocket money generously provided to alleviate their children’s financial burdens.
Echoing the Chinese ethos of shared wealth, another commenter backed the grandparents’ decision: “You can ask me for money, but you cannot steal from me.”
According to Chinese Criminal Law, individuals who steal considerable amounts of public or private property, or who commit repeated theft, face imprisonment of up to three years.
While stealing from family members or close relatives is generally not classified as a crime if forgiveness is obtained, offenders may still receive leniency if pursued for criminal liability. - South China Morning/ANN
