CHINA, NATIONAL, SOCIETY, NEWS FEATURE, The Cruelest Choice
By Yu Zhijuan
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) carriers often encounter extreme frustration in finding a mate and a job, even though people in China now have a better understanding of the disease and its prevention.
Each weekend, Xiao Huang dates his girl friend Xiao Lv, taking her to their favorite restaurant. In people's eyes, they are young lovebirds envied by others. However, few really know that their love is being severely tested.
"My mother is still against us staying together. Our future is full of darkness," said Xiao Lv, who told the writer their story.
Four years ago, Xiao Huang and Xiao Lv both entered Beijing Jiaotong University and became classmates majoring in computer science. When their friendship turned into love, Xiao Huang revealed to his girlfriend that he was an HBV carrier.
"As soon as my mother heard this news, she tried every means she could to prevent me from seeing him," Xiao Lv said. Her mother ordered her to come home to Shi Jiazhuang (capital city of Hebei Province) as soon as she graduated from Beijing Jiaotong University. Her mother tried to arrange for her to meet guys she'd never heard of before.
"I could understand all that my mother did," Xiao Lv said. "She meant well. But it is ridiculous that, to avoid these things, you make every boy have a physical examination before you fall in love with him."
Xiao Lv revealed that actually she, like her mother, had worries about their future. "I am afraid that once we are married and have children, the hepatitis B virus will be transmitted to our kids."
Xiao Lv complained that she often quarreled with her boyfriend over the problem. "I don't know what to do next. On the one hand, our love is not likely to ever get permission from my parents. On the other hand, since we have known each other well for about two years, I cannot simply say goodbye to him."
Besides the pressure from Xiao Lv's family, Xiao Huang also has to face the difficulties of finding a steady job.
As a computer major, Xiao Huang first applied for a job as a network controller at a college in Beijing. Although he was more qualified for the work than other candidates, personnel officers of the college refused his application as soon as they found out he was an HBV carrier.
At last, in September 2005, Xiao Huang found a job in Beijing Western Railway Station. However, Xiao Huang kept his health problem a secret. "I'm afraid he will lose his job again if his boss learns about it," Xiao Lv said in gloom.
It is not Xiao Huang alone that faces these intense dilemmas. Statistics show that there are about 130 million HBV carriers in China, which makes up 10 percent of the Chinese population. And like Xiao Huang and Xiao Lv, many of them will experience similar cruel choices in love and career.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) carriers often encounter extreme frustration in finding a mate and a job, even though people in China now have a better understanding of the disease and its prevention.
Each weekend, Xiao Huang dates his girl friend Xiao Lv, taking her to their favorite restaurant. In people's eyes, they are young lovebirds envied by others. However, few really know that their love is being severely tested.
"My mother is still against us staying together. Our future is full of darkness," said Xiao Lv, who told the writer their story.
Four years ago, Xiao Huang and Xiao Lv both entered Beijing Jiaotong University and became classmates majoring in computer science. When their friendship turned into love, Xiao Huang revealed to his girlfriend that he was an HBV carrier.
"As soon as my mother heard this news, she tried every means she could to prevent me from seeing him," Xiao Lv said. Her mother ordered her to come home to Shi Jiazhuang (capital city of Hebei Province) as soon as she graduated from Beijing Jiaotong University. Her mother tried to arrange for her to meet guys she'd never heard of before.
"I could understand all that my mother did," Xiao Lv said. "She meant well. But it is ridiculous that, to avoid these things, you make every boy have a physical examination before you fall in love with him."
Xiao Lv revealed that actually she, like her mother, had worries about their future. "I am afraid that once we are married and have children, the hepatitis B virus will be transmitted to our kids."
Xiao Lv complained that she often quarreled with her boyfriend over the problem. "I don't know what to do next. On the one hand, our love is not likely to ever get permission from my parents. On the other hand, since we have known each other well for about two years, I cannot simply say goodbye to him."
Besides the pressure from Xiao Lv's family, Xiao Huang also has to face the difficulties of finding a steady job.
As a computer major, Xiao Huang first applied for a job as a network controller at a college in Beijing. Although he was more qualified for the work than other candidates, personnel officers of the college refused his application as soon as they found out he was an HBV carrier.
At last, in September 2005, Xiao Huang found a job in Beijing Western Railway Station. However, Xiao Huang kept his health problem a secret. "I'm afraid he will lose his job again if his boss learns about it," Xiao Lv said in gloom.
It is not Xiao Huang alone that faces these intense dilemmas. Statistics show that there are about 130 million HBV carriers in China, which makes up 10 percent of the Chinese population. And like Xiao Huang and Xiao Lv, many of them will experience similar cruel choices in love and career.
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