Summary of Key Points
The average summer spending for prospective freshmen is expected to be nearly 20,000 yuan, far exceeding the national average spending of residents in the first half of this year (14,800 yuan), making them the main force behind summer consumption. This money is primarily used for university preparations (electronic devices, driving lessons) and self-reward (graduation trips, image management, etc.). However, the figure of “20,000 yuan per person” is an average inflated by high-consuming families; most ordinary families cannot afford it. This has led to intense arguments between children and parents: children feel frustrated due to the disparity in spending, while parents complain that their children don’t understand the hardships of life. The story of the French animated film “The Magician” highlights the silent sacrifices made by parents—the so-called “magic” is merely the result of their hard work and dedication.
1. The Summer Expenses of Prospective Freshmen: Where Does the Money Go?
The spending of prospective freshmen is not reckless; it has clear purposes:
- Essential for Learning: Buying phones, computers, and tablets (necessary for online classes and writing papers), which can total over 10,000 yuan.
- Skill Investment: Enrolling in driving lessons to obtain a driver’s license (a valuable skill for life).
- Relaxation and Rewards: Graduation trips, thank-you dinners, and class gatherings.
- Image Improvement: Buying new clothes, undergoing cosmetic treatments, dental orthodontics, fitness, or joining interest classes (to enter university with a fresh look).
These expenses easily exceed 10,000 yuan, which is why some say “students are restarting their lives.”
2. Don’t Misunderstand the Average of 20,000 Yuan: Not Everyone Spends That Much!
The figure of “nearly 20,000 yuan per person” in the report can be misleading; it’s actually an average inflated by high-consuming households:
- Only a few families are willing to spend more than 15,000 yuan.
- Most ordinary families have budgets of only a few thousand yuan (e.g., “within 2,000 yuan,” as parents mention).
- For example, if 10 freshmen spend 10,000 yuan each and the other 9 spend 10,000 yuan each, the average would be 19,000 yuan—but in reality, most only spend around 10,000 yuan.
So don’t let the average figure scare you; it doesn’t mean every freshman spends that much.
3. The Consumption Gap Sparks Family arguments: What Do Children and Parents Argue About?
The core of the argument is the disparity with peers:
- From the Child’s Perspective: Seeing friends on social media with expensive items, they feel entitled to rewards after entering university and may post about feeling “humiliated by their family’s poverty.”
- From the Parent’s Perspective: They believe that studying doesn’t equate to sudden wealth and have budgets of only a few thousand yuan (used for occasional treats and new clothes), criticizing their children for being selfish and not understanding hardships. Some even feel exploited by their children using the college entrance exam as a pretext to ask for things.
- The Argument Escalates: Children might say, “If you can’t afford it, don’t have kids,” while parents respond, “Studying is for yourself, not for us.”
At heart, this is a conflict of perspectives stemming from different economic backgrounds: children haven’t experienced the difficulty of making money, while parents know every penny counts.
4. The Real Pressure on Ordinary Families: Is 20,000 Yuan a Huge Amount?
For most working-class families, 20,000 yuan is indeed a significant amount:
- Statistics: The median disposable income for residents in the first half of this year was 19,000 yuan (meaning half earn less, and half more).
- Half-Year Income: A couple’s income is roughly 38,000 yuan.
- After Expenses: After covering rent/mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, and medical expenses, a surplus of 8,000–15,000 yuan per half-year is considered good.
- Saving Money: Saving 30,000–40,000 yuan might take three to four years.
Therefore, when parents can’t afford 20,000 yuan, it’s not because they’re stingy; they simply don’t have the means. Every penny in an ordinary family must be carefully allocated.
5. The Lesson of Growth: Parents’ “Magic” Is Actually Their Hard Work
The article uses the story from the French film “The Magician” to illustrate this point:
- The girl thought her father created new clothes and lobster with magic, but it was actually earned through part-time jobs (his main job plus night shifts at a car repair shop).
- We were similar as children: thinking new phones and brand shoes came from our parents’ wealth, not realizing they saved every penny.
- Only as adults do we understand that parents don’t have “magic”; they just work tirelessly to support us.
In conclusion, spending habits vary from person to person, and there’s no need for comparison. Parents’ love cannot be measured in money. Children should also realize early on that life has no “magic”—there is only the silent, hard work of their parents.