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Lily's avatar

Does godparent mean the same thing in China that it does in the US? What's the Chinese word used? As far as I know, "godparent" here officially means someone who agrees to raise the child if literally everyone else dies, and unofficially means someone who agrees to take some responsibility /ownership for the child's moral education. Does it mean something different there?

Also, can we get an update on the lady with HIV if one comes out?? I hope she's okay, that's so awful :(

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Chinese Doom Scroll's avatar

干妈 or 干爹, literally "dry mom" or "dry dad". It's basically the same social thing, but without the religious connotations. It's someone who participates in raising the kid a little more growing up, and the kid has slightly more of an obligation to visit and take care of them when they get old too. You'd package red pockets for the kid as though you're a family member, for example, and pull your connections on their behalf and all that. I'm not sure about raising the child if literally everyone else dies part, I've never seen it come up in real life.

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DeeDee D's avatar

wow. I love this stack! Thanks Moly!

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