A video showing two Chinese women locking a crying toddler inside a plane’s toilet has gone viral, sparking widespread outrage and debate across social media in China. The incident occurred on a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang to Shanghai, and the footage, initially posted by one of the women involved, has ignited a conversation about the appropriate ways to handle children’s tantrums in public spaces.
The video shows one of the women, identified as Gou Tingting, carrying a crying toddler into the airplane’s toilet. The other woman can be heard telling the child that she would only be allowed to leave the cubicle if she stopped crying. Tingting, who posted the video on Chinese social media, appeared to believe she was helping to calm the child and allow other passengers to rest. However, instead of being praised for her actions, Tingting quickly faced a backlash from the public.
The video went viral on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and Douyin, where it was met with intense criticism. Many viewers accused Tingting of bullying the child and lacking empathy. One popular comment on Weibo read, “Children cannot control their emotions when they are one or two years old. What’s wrong with crying? Didn’t you cry when you were young too?” This sentiment was echoed by many others who felt that Tingting’s actions were harsh and inappropriate.
Critics pointed out that young children, especially toddlers, often cry because they are overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or simply unable to express their needs in any other way. Locking a child in a confined space as a punishment or to stop them from crying is viewed by many as an act of cruelty rather than a solution to the problem.
In response to the criticism, Tingting explained her actions on Douyin, stating that she did not want to be a bystander but preferred to take action. She claimed her intention was to calm the child down so that other passengers could rest. Tingting noted that some passengers had been forced to move to the back of the plane to escape the noise, while others had resorted to stuffing tissues in their ears to block out the persistent crying.
Tingting also mentioned that the child’s grandmother, who was also on the flight, had given permission for the women to look after the child. However, this detail did little to quell the public’s anger, as many still viewed the act of locking a toddler in a toilet as unjustifiable.
The incident has sparked a broader debate in China about how to manage children’s behavior in public spaces, particularly in confined environments like airplanes. While some defended the women’s actions, arguing that they had the consent of the child’s guardian and were trying to ensure the comfort of all passengers, the majority of commentators emphasized the need for empathy and understanding when dealing with children.
Parenting experts weighed in, stressing that children, especially at such a young age, should not be subjected to punitive measures like confinement. Instead, they recommended alternative approaches, such as distraction techniques, comforting the child, or offering toys or snacks to help calm them down. These methods, they argue, are more effective and humane in dealing with a child’s distress.
Juneyao Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that the two women had received permission from the toddler’s grandmother to take care of her during the flight. However, the airline did not provide specific details about the child’s age or whether any official action would be taken against the women. The airline’s somewhat neutral stance has also drawn criticism, with some arguing that the airline should have taken a stronger position against such actions.
The video of the toddler being locked in an airplane toilet has struck a nerve in China, highlighting the challenges of managing children’s behavior in public and the varying opinions on how such situations should be handled. While some have defended the women’s intentions, the overwhelming public response has condemned their actions as lacking compassion and understanding for the child. The incident underscores the need for a more thoughtful and empathetic approach to parenting and public behavior, particularly in stressful environments like air travel.
