Remember "Eagle Dad"? The crazy father intent on "toughening up" his 4-year-old son by making him do push-ups on a snow-covered street wearing only his little yellow underwear? Well, he's back at again, and this time his antics may be even more worrisome.
His name is He Liesheng, and this time he's putting his son out to sea -- all alone in the wind and rough waves. Remember the boy is 4. He claims that since his son was born prematurely, he needs toughening up, but setting him out to sail all alone in the wild seas seems like a risky and terrifying way to try and do it.
In the video he says, "Only by placing him in a situation with strong winds and waves can he show his potential.” Watch the video footage after the jump and see what you think.
It's not as heartbreaking to watch as the push-ups, and he is wearing a life jacket, but in some ways it's worse. The risks are certainly higher, and while the boy isn't crying, I imagine he's got to be terrified.
I'm all for pushing my kids to do their best and work hard. Ask my son what my favorite saying is and he'll tell you (while rolling his eyes), "Pain is just weakness leaving your body." But this guy is out of control, and it seems so self serving what with the videos and all. It's like he's out to make a name for himself and using this poor boy to do it. Maybe it's what he really thinks is best for the boy, but it seems overzealous at the very least.
I don't know that I'd call it "child abuse" as many did after the push-ups video made headlines. I do think, however, that it's an extreme form of parenting that is likely to do more harm than good for the child in the long run.
Do you think this dad is wrong to push his son like this?
Image via YouTube
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Comments 20
he is a kid but more of a MAN than the childish jerk that did these things to him.
This man is disgusting.I agree, he is obviously exploiting his precious child so that he can gain attention.His actions are dispicable!! It broke my heart to see the little boy crying in his underware in the snow.My question is where the hell is CPS on this one???? The snow incident was certainly abuse,and the child desrves someone who wants to nurture & protect him,instead he's stuck with that twisted ass of a "father".Poor baby,hope he's rescued from that situation a.s.a.p.!!
This is communist China. I doubt this is the worst childhood one could hope for there. While I personally find his behavior to be extreme and too rigorous, I do believe this father has a great deal of love for his child and that he really does believe he is doing the right thing.
Oh, and to the comment about him being all alone out in the stormy seas- he isn't going to be alone, he will have a coach near him, to help if necessary and in case of any emergencies.
Not everyone on the planet lives the way Americans do, and not everyone on the planet sees the world the way Americans do. What we see as a normal childhood of kids being kids, is NOT a global standard-
It's a form of control. The father needs psychiatric help. If the boy lives through his childhood without intervention he may turn on his father or others. This is how monsters are made IMHO.
Deanna, Just because there may be WORSE childhoods going on, doesn't make this one excusable. Putting children forcefully into scary events can traumatize the kid which will backfire on his father who wants "toughening up" or whatever he claims his reasoning is. I find it sad that you excuse this father and use culture as the reason it's okay to treat a child like this. Very sad.
some people dont deserve kids