摘要
Li Weiwei,an 8-year-old girl,drowned in a river while attempting to rescue a friend in southwest China’s Sichuan Province in April.The local government filed an application to posthumously award her a special title for her heroic actions,but
Li Weiwei, an 8-year-old girl, drowned in a river while attempting to rescue a friend in southwest China＇s Sichuan Province in April. The local government filed an application to posthumously award her a special title for her heroic actions, but the application was denied by higher-level au- thorities, stating that ＂acting boldly to help others should not be encouraged among minors.＂ Just a few months later, however, Li＇s award was approved and granted. To protect others from injury or dan- gerous situations, regardless of one＇s own safety, is a virtue that has long been admired and commended. However, should we honor a minor who risks his or her own life to save others？ Some agree that the upper-level govern- ment was right to initially deny the award. Others believe the decision to honor Li for her bravery and selflessness should not be influenced by other factors, and thus the ap- plication should not have been questioned. Far more complicated than whether or not an honorary title should have been awarded, however, is how we should educate children to help others in danger, and what the gov- ernment should do in cases similar to Li＇s.
