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Media should spare young prodigies

Every year when universities enroll new students, there are always some who stand apart from the average - the youngest, the oldest, the ones who have acquired some social fame before being enrolled, and so on. As one would expect, they are the most favored objects of media coverage of campus life.

The media seem to be particularly interested in the amorous aspects of their lives, when interviewing these new students. For instance, when reporting about a young female writer who was enrolled by Tsinghua University, most media outlets splashed the headlines: "Pretty Lass Writer Enrolled in Tsinghua, Saying Would Be Dating Someone."

Jiang Fangzhou, 19, from Hubei province, is famous for having published a number of novels before being enrolled at China's most prestigious university. Reporting of such a young genius should have focused on her intelligence and diligence. But the media obviously are more concerned about her attitude toward love affairs.

Opponents of pedantic moralists may argue that it is only too natural to ask a university student about her possible dating. Yes, I admit the argument is right. But the point is: why highlight this aspect of the matter? If it is normal to show concern for a 19-year-old's love affairs, then what about a 14-year-old girl?

Just a few days after splashing the sensational headlines, the same Beijing-based newspaper interviewed a 14-year-old girl who was enrolled by the University of International Business and Economy. Among a number of questions thrown to the talented girl, one was her attitude toward dating. The girl answered: "It is normal for an 18-year-old but I'm only 14. I will think of it when I am 18."