Students 'rage against the rubber man'
- Source: Global Times
- [21:39 November 17 2009]
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A woman student throws a punch in Licheng High School's "catharsis room" in Jinan, Shandong Province, which provides a place for students to let off some steam. Photo: Xinhua
By Liu Meng
As students feel increasing pressure from competition, exams and job-hunting, "catharsis rooms" installed on campuses across the country are quickly becoming a popular place to help students' let off some steam.
With padded walls, thick carpets, soundproofing and a "rubber man" good for countless beatings, students at Harbin University of Commerce (HUC) can scream, punch and kick their way to a placid calmness only a wave of released rage can provide.
"Since setting up the 'catharsis room' in late 2005, over 100 students come every year to use it," said Zhang Jinsong, a teacher at the HUC Psychological Consultation Center.
Zhang added that a special surveillance system has also been installed, so teachers at the center can monitor the room in case of an accident.
Central South University (CSU), in central china's Hunan Province, also opened a catharsis room this year, a move welcomed by students looking to rage against something.
Yan Zhiqu, a senior at CSU explained he gave the room a try while preparing for the notoriously stress enduring graduate examinations.
"After punching the rubber man for awhile, I felt a lot better," he said.
"Screaming at and kicking a rubber dummy doesn't hurt or disturb anyone, and it really helps. Every university needs one of these rooms," said Fu Huan, a junior at CSU.
But while students throw punches, parents point out problems.
"College students are still forming their outlook on life, social values and the world. Relying on such aggressive methods to deal with their frustrations can lead to self-indulgent and domineering behavior in the long run," said a student's father surnamed Lu.
Zuo Qingrong, mother of a female senior student in Beijing, said that young people should settle their gripes through more low key methods, like chatting.
"Using violence to solve problem brings out hatred, which is not good for students' mental health," she said.
Addressing this controversy, Ma Xiaohong, vice director of the Mental Health Education Center at CSU, said that these rooms are only one part of the method used to relieve student frustrations. Counseling following the catharsis room sessions is key to the process.
"After their abreaction, we provide guidance sessions," said Ma, "Through which they analyze the reasons causing their frustrations and learn how to better improve themselves."
