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Description

This is a fun picture which describes the different social organization and views toward family life and children in China. We were outside the Forbidden City and attracted quite a crowd of Chinese people who wanted to take pictures of Americans. These two babies were just pushed into Ashley and Julie's hands because there mothers loved the idea of getting pictures of their children with Americans. Even though we were strangers, they completely trusted their babies in Ashley and Julie's care and didn't consider the fact it might not be the safest thing.

Comments

Our "celebrity photo shoot"

Our "celebrity photo shoot" was such a fun experience. I remember seeing the women with these babies from afar and commenting to Ashley about how cute they were. Next thing I knew, the women were rushing towards us and shoving their babies in our hands, without hesitation. From there, we had dozens people coming over to take pictures with us. I know we enjoyed it just as much as they did!

Social Organization

I was there for this photo and the whole 15 minute celebrity experience where we must have taken 100 photos with the Chinese people. Its so fascinating how interested they are in Americans. They really treated us like celebrities and were so grateful just to interact with us. It was a highlight of the trip and eye opener. 

fantastic!

this is a great picture that highlights how much the Chinese mothers trusted Ashley and Julie by handing them their babies.  This ties into the desire to adopt Western cultural practices as they asked to get their childrens' photos with the american tourists.

Those Chinese babies were so

Those Chinese babies were so precious, I wanted to take them back with me!  However a fake purse is probably a better souvenier from China...

In any event the fact that Chinese mothers wanted us to pose with their babies really symbolizes a lot about the social organization in China.  Clearly they hadn't seen many Americans and saw a kodak moment in Julie and I.  It was a mutual benefit though, we enjoyed the kodak moment just as much!