"Swim Against the Tide"

The Gang of Four also encouraged the violation of rules and regulations and a general undermining and disrespect for any form of authority. They claimed that formal rules and regulations oppressed workers. Their call to the people to challenge and violate formal rules and regulations spread to the schools and universities.

My Aunt, a retiring middle school teacher told me that class attendances dropped at the school where she taught and that she found the children becoming increasingly lethargic in their approach to school. She also remarked that the respect and courtesy due by tradition towards older people in Chinese society was for the first time being ignored and challenged.