Comparisons Between Chinese and American Family Education

【摘要】 Family education has a direct influence on the qualities of children. This thesis intends to find out the underlying reasons of different family education between China and America and it also provides some helpful suggestions for family education.

【关键词】family education； differences； causes； theoretical analysis

【中图分类号】G78 【文献标识码】A 【文章编号】2095-3089（2016）10-0005-02

1.Differences Between Chinese and American Family Education

1.1 Different Aims

Chinese parents hope their children have a bright future. Children are expected to live in prosperity with a good job. Chinese parents pay much attention to childrens exam scores， and their biggest requirement is that their children can concentrate on study. Chinese children feel hard to adapt themselves to the new surroundings when they grow up. While American parents prefer a more practical and easy way to develop their childrens ability. They hope that their children can survive independently throughout their lifetime. With this aim of family education， American parents can get along with their children more easily and freely， which can motivate their positive factors in the personalities.

1.2 Different Contents

Parents tend to concern about the score of exam more than anything else. Chinese children always study under the supervision of their parents. Chinese believe in Confucianism， including such moral rules as integrity， respecting the aged and so on， which are taught for most people but seldom in action. Nowadays， Chinese parents send their children to many kinds of training classes without thinking of what they really want to learn. Our children always live under heavy burden. By contrast， American family education is relatively reasonable and practical. Parents always encourage them to go outside and do exercises. They inspire them to attend sports organizations which foster their sense of team？鄄work and independence. American parents encourage their children to visit galleries， museums and nature that they can learn from outside class.

1.3 Different Ways

Chinese parents tend to do what they can for their children and grant whatever is requested from their children. Unfortunately， Chinese children lack autonomy and option. They are taught to be obedient from childhood. Parents make the decision for them most of the time. Chinese parents always educate their children with a commanding tone. On the contrary， American family education is relatively equal and democratic. Parents respect their childrens personality and right of option. And American parents discuss with their children equally to foster their ability to think independently. They also value childrens privacy and do not interfere as much as possible.

2.Theoretical Analysis of the Causes of Differences

Kluckhohn and Strodtbecks Dimensions of Culture can help us understand their differences. The Differences between China and America in family education are mainly manifested in the aspects of time orientation， activity orientation， duty towards others and concept of space.

2.1 Time Orientation

China is a country with a long history， which means that they focus on the past tradition in time orientation. Chinese have been under the constraint of old rules especially the consciousness of peasant economy. Their cultural values are more conservative and reserved. Children are taught to be obedient from childhood. And new ideas find no way to be received in China. On the other hand， America is a country with multi？鄄cultural and varied ideological values because of its short history and immigrant flow. There are less traditional culture to be reserved until now and less restraint existing in American society. They are quicker to accept new ideas and are full of adventurous and innovative spirits.

2.2 Activity Orientation

Different economic patterns also influence the family education between China and America. With the prosperity of capitalist economy， people in the United States can get more opportunities to find a job. American parents think that their children can find a job and survive in society are already enough. American society tends to think highly of competence. Their activity orientation focuses on what one can do and the status comes from what one has achieved. So their view about choosing an occupation is open and each job is equal. Whats more， the US is a country with developed pension and insurance system because of its advanced economy. Parents family education in America ends when their children are 18 years old. While China is backward in economy and most people live under heavy stress. Academic credentials are still considered the most important factor in finding a good job in Chinese parents mind. And we can infer that Chinese activity orientation focuses on “being”， which means “who you are”. Chinese parents always tend to arrange jobs for their children and require them to be a person with a good status in society.

2.3 Duty Towards Others

Chinese tradition is mainly composed by Confucianism， Taoism and Buddhism. One of the most important theories in Confucianism is the harmony with nature. And there also have a stronger sense of collectivism in China. Chinese attach great importance to the profit of family， society and country. People always know themselves through others. The personal value only shows on the relation with others. Chinese children always live up with family expectation and they are regarded as a continuation of their parents values. On the contrary， Americans focus of responsibility is on themselves. America is an immigrant country influenced by the European Renaissance and the Enlightenment， in which “individualism” is the core concept. Ideological emancipation， innovation， adventures and change are all their culture identities. Besides， American people emphasize individual values. Actually it is the strength for social progress and personal success. The self？鄄actualization is their pursuit of life. Therefore， American children are independent individuals in American family， and personal values can be respected by their parents， which includes their interest， wish and ambition.

2.4 Concept of Space

Chinese traditional family relationship and the sense of collectivism grant parents more authority to educate their children. And there is almost no privacy in their childrens lives. On the contrary， in view of American eagerness for freedom and respect for equality， independent space is what they want to own even at home. Independence is one of the most important qualities that American parents want to educate their children. So American childrens privacy is respected by their parents. Some American children even hang a card “Stop” on their door of room to forbid their parents to enter without their permission.

3. Significance and Enlightenment

The different family education between China and America cannot be removed. We should understand that the differences are the premise for the development of culture and cross？鄄cultural communication. It provides the chance for people to understand their culture and realize the advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the differences also makes the problems of Chinese family education clear， which in turn helps develop Chinese culture through education， and which is the final objectives of education—inheriting and developing national culture. Some feasible proposals can be put forward for the reformation of Chinese family education. Firstly， Chinese parents should give more encouragements and inspirations to their children. Chinese family education can adopt incentive education as well， which is a more effective way to improve the confidence of children， then they will not give up easily once they fail. Encouragement can enhance the trust between parents and children. Secondly， Chinese parents should talk more with their children. Children is the special subject to be educated in family education as well as the fundamental factor for the realization of educational aim. Equal communications are needed so that parents can really realize what their children want and increase mutual understanding and trust. At last， Chinese parents should cultivate their childrens consciousness of independence， self？鄄support， cooperation and the spirit of caring for others.

4. Conclusion

This thesis explores the differences between Chinese and American family education based on Kluckholn and Strodtbecks Dimensions of Culture. Also， the paper makes a summary of the significance and enlightenment. It is not easy to make a judgement on which family education is better. But understanding the differences is an essential way to seek for a change and reformation.

Bibliography：

[1]Cui Lili. Culture makes the difference： The discrepancy between US education and Chinese education[J]. Department of Physics of Kansas State University， 2006.

[2]Kluckhohn， Florence R. and Strodtbeck， Fred L. Variations in Value Orientations [M].Oxford， England： Row， Peterson， 1961.

[3]汪玉清. 实用主义视角下的中美家庭教育比较 [J]. 外语学界， 2015.

作者简介：

马心媛（1993-），女，广东汕头人， 广州大学在读教育硕士，研究方向：学科英语教学。