THE EFFECT OF WESTERN INFLUENCE ON PERCEIVED CHINESE PARENTING

Abstract

Comparative research on parenting has concentrated mostly on the cross-cultural differences among parenting practices of different cultural groups. In cross-cultural studies of child rearing, it is necessary to take into account the traditional cultural values and attitudes particular to each of the groups under investigation, as well as the values, attitudes, and conventions of the cultural environments in which they currently reside. This exploratory study sheds some light on the relationship among exposure of Western and Chinese cultures, Chinese values and perceived parenting using culturally sensitive measures of parenting (warmth, restrictive control and attributes related to the Chinese philosophy of guan or "training"). Results showed that exposure to Western culture affects parental warmth positively. In addition, it is negatively associated with Social Justice (one of the traditional Chinese values). However, it has no influence on the progressive Chinese values. The limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.