I'm really surprised by the downvotes and reactions you're getting. Seeing people scream and faint, having to be carried out on stretchers upon hear the news,

I'm really surprised by the downvotes and reactions you're getting. Seeing people scream and faint, having to be carried out on stretchers upon hear the news, is not a reaction that North Americans are used to seeing. It is not "normal" to see North Americans react that way. That's not a condemnation against those who do, it's just a statement of fact. OP then asked if it's "normal" for Chinese families, without any implication that they're wrong in doing it. I suspect there would have been slightly less backlash if he asked if it was common. I was immediately curious about the same thing. I pondered whether or not China's "one child" restrictions could make these losses that much worse. Upon reflection, I thought that I might consider having at least two children in order to make such a tragic event slightly more bearable. Or, perhaps the media singled out the most extreme reaction and it isn't typical. The difference is noteworthy enough to make one curious, and there isn't anything wrong with that.