A college student in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, sued his impoverished parents recently demanding that they pay his tuition and living expenses, exposing the failure of education in today's society, says an article in Beijing Youth Daily. Excerpts:

The student's action has drawn widespread criticism, especially because his father is sick and his family is too poor to pay him 1,000 yuan ($163) a month for his living expenses. People say he should have helped his parents financially instead of dragging them to court for money.

The incident shows that education has not had the desired effect on today's students. Since the college student is already 18 years old, his parents are not obliged to pay his tuition and living expenses. On the contrary, adult children have the obligation to support their parents.

It's not uncommon to see spoiled children trying to take advantage of their parents. Many parents blindly dote on their children and provide them everything they want - even those beyond their means. As a result, these children grow up into indifferent and ungrateful adults despite receiving university education. In other words, they become like the Lianyungang student, devoid of a healthy personality and independent spirit.

After the court mediated between the student and his parents, he withdrew his suit. In fact, the court staff donated some money for the parents to enable them to pay their son's tuition. The student, however, still faces many challenges. And if he remains ungrateful to and dependent on his parents, he cannot develop into a healthy human being.