The children of migrant workers in Shanghai are turning against their hometowns and becoming arrogant, it has been claimed.

Kids brought up in Shanghai have a feeling of superiority when they return to their birthplaces, Zhang Yichao, the founder of a chorus group who has been organizing trips for the young migrants to the countryside, said.

The 35 chorus group members are aged from 11 to 16, born in rural areas and are growing up in Shanghai. They were making 12-day trips to their hometowns of Anhui, Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces last month.

Zhang set up the chorus in February last year with an American. It is the first troupe in Shanghai comprising the children of migrant workers.

Following an 18-month training course by voluntary teachers they put on performances at venues such as the Shanghai Oriental Art Center and Jinmao Tower, China's second-highest building.

On their visits to the countryside the kids held chorus and solo shows, with electric instruments, for the farmers. They also played games with local children and collated information to write reports.

"Few of these children maintain their affection for their hometowns and they don't like the countryside. I hope these trips will help them remember their early childhood and the rural areas where they were born," Zhang said.

For the first few days, he said, the kids kept their distance from farmers, complained about dirty toilets, muddy sidewalks and shabby housing. They even hid the fact they were from rural areas themselves.

"It's obvious these children liked the feeling of superiority in front of their country fellows," Zhang said.

"What we can do, however, is help them face up to the fact they were born in rural areas and perhaps then they will be more fond of these places.

"They are still young and innocent and I believe they will build up a positive life philosophy and make their own contributions to society," chorus volunteer Liu Jing said.

"Children of migrant workers need more education in all aspects of life. This trip to the countryside is just a small part and we are organizing other activities," Zhang said.

(China Daily September 5, 2007)