Chinese Family Structure and Traditional Values

The family has long been cherished in China. According to an old proverb, “The family is essential under Heaven.” The elder brother should be gentle with the younger brother, and the younger brother should respect the elder brother. Good farming and reading traditions should be passed down from generation to generation. A family should be run with diligence and thrift.

These family values have been ingrained in our people’s DNA and left an indelible impression on their thoughts. They are cherished as a priceless heritage of Chinese family politeness and have been handed down through the years as a crucial moral strength.

Chinese Family Structure

Family Unit	Confucian philosophy underscores the importance of family roles, such as parent and child, senior and younger brother, and husband and wife.
Confucian Duties	While Confucian duties are not strictly followed, filial piety remains essential. Children are expected to respect elders, and elders’ opinions are considered in important decisions.
Collective Identities	Families are seen as possessing a collective identity and reputation, known as the “face” phenomenon, where individual actions impact the family’s perception.
Financial responsibilities	Modernization has shifted family dynamics; education is highly valued, and financial success is a major status symbol. Frugal living and prudent money management are emphasized.
Gender Role and Values	Traditionally, fathers or eldest sons were patriarchs, and mothers cared for the home. Gender roles are evolving, with more women working and matriarchal family structures in some regions.
Marriage and Dating	Couples often meet through social events or mutual friends. Matchmaking and online dating are growing. Public displays of affection are increasing, and premarital sex is more accepted.
Views on Virginity	There is a generational gap regarding the importance of virginity before marriage. While some still see it as crucial, younger generations are more accepting of premarital sex.
Marriage Practices	Marriage is significant, seen as a step toward adulthood. Socioeconomic factors are considered in mate selection. Young people may choose to live together before marriage.

Chinese Family Structure

According to Confucian philosophy, the family is the unit that matters most to a person and serves as the cornerstone of every social structure. The roles of parent and kid, senior brother and younger brother, and husband and wife, for example, are all well-defined. In exchange for her obedience and affection, a husband or father is supposed to show compassion and control to her. In exchange for her respect and obedience, he is expected to provide direction and protection for his children.

Confucian duties are no longer followed to the letter. Children are still expected to respect their elders and obey their parents, though. This is consistent with the Confucian principle of filial piety, which emphasises the value of age. For instance, family elders are supposed to be consulted when making important choices in the majority of Chinese areas. In addition, kids are supposed to take care of their parents as they get older. It is seen as humiliating to place elderly parents in an aged care facility.
In China, families are also seen to possess a collective identity and reputation. This is known as the “face” phenomenon, in which the actions of one person affect how others see every member of the group.  It is believed that the family’s interests would take precedence over an individual’s. It is also anticipated that family members would be given preference in exchange for their fidelity to the family.

Chinese Family Financial responsibilities

As China has modernized and grown technologically, the typical Chinese home dynamic has changed from the traditional paradigm. These days, having money is a major status symbol. Because of the one-child policy put in place by the Chinese government, the future of the family was mostly dependent on their lone kid for a number of years. The majority of parents remain completely committed to their children’s achievement even after the ban was phased out in 2015 and they are now allowed to have several children. In the end, they want to see their kids succeed better financially than they did. As a result, getting a strong education and going to college are highly valued. But this is frequently communicated in a way that places a lot of pressure on the child to live up to their parents’ high expectations.
Some Chinese people still think that giving money to one’s family members is a sign of affection. As parents work longer hours and harder to get more money, they are placing less emphasis on developing personal bonds. A growing number of moms are working full-time, while dads frequently miss work because of obligations connected to their jobs. Young children are frequently raised by their grandparents while their parents are away from home at work. Time spent as a family is therefore limited. Chinese families also frequently want to build or purchase a home since it is seen as a sign of better status. Since achieving these goals would require years of saving, the typical Chinese family will place a high value on frugal living and prudent money management.

Chinese Gender Role and Traditional Values

The father or oldest son was the family provider and patriarch in the traditional home structure. He was maintained as the last arbiter, even though some families might have waited to speak with their elders. Traditionally, a mother’s responsibilities included taking care of the home and her children. Living with the immediate family was also usual for extended families. These days, this type of family is typical mainly in extremely remote places.

Women may now work and take charge of family affairs as gender equality has been accepted. Certain cities, such as Shanghai, have more dominating women than men in the home. In addition, a lot of women in big cities will work to relieve their husbands of some of the financial strain.

Still, there remains a gender disparity in both industry and politics. In addition, women are frequently expected to take care of the home and children. A matriarchal family structure is practiced in several Chinese societies, where women are the principal decision-makers and head of the household.

Chinese Values on Marriage and Dating

Couples frequently cross paths at social events or through mutual friends. Nonetheless, matchmaking and online dating are growing in popularity. While public shows of affection and intimate relationships are frowned upon nationwide, they are becoming prevalent in urban areas. A general health survey states that the proportion of people having sex before marriage rose from 40% in 1994 to 71.4% in 2012. A significant portion of the younger Chinese population no longer views being a virgin before marriage as a critical issue. There is a generational gap regarding this value, though. Many parents and educational institutions still discourage or outright restrict intimate relationships that are undertaken just for pleasure. In many cases, being virgin is still required for a Chinese marriage, and the husband of the bride and relatives can want evidence of it.

Because family is seen as the most significant aspect of a person’s life, the majority of Chinese people anticipate getting married. Getting married is frequently viewed as a step towards adulthood. Many Chinese people give careful thought to their socioeconomic level when selecting a mate. In China, a woman must be 20 years old and a man must be 22 years old to get married. In an effort to slow down population growth, the Chinese government encourages people to delay marriage; those who do so will not receive the same rewards. Young people are increasingly choosing to live together prior to being married, and many of them will keep this a secret from their more conventional parents. When a couple agrees to get married, they first sign a formal agreement without a ceremony at a local government office. Following the wedding, a sizable celebration is held for the families and friends of the bride and groom. Several rituals could be held, according on the family’s customs.

Conclusion

In China, the value of family is not only a social construct but is engrained in the very fabric of the people’s culture. Conventional values like decency, perseverance, and filial devotion have withstood the test of time and continue to influence people’s moral character and the cohesiveness of society.

Related Links

1. Chinese New Year 2024 Tradition, Celebration, History
2. Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE)
3. Difference Between Patriarchy And Matriarchy

Chinese family structure and traditional values- FAQs

What is the Chinese traditional value of family?

As an ancient saying goes, “The family is essential under Heaven.”¹ Traditional Chinese family virtues include: One should respect the elderly and love the young; a virtuous woman brings her husband good; a kind mother brings up children dutiful to the family etc.

Who is the most important person in a traditional Chinese family?

Within the traditional household hierarchy, the patriarch and family provider was the father or eldest son.

What are the gender roles in Chinese family?

The traditional culture requires obedience to a father and then to a husband and sons. The traditional family proscribes women’s role as housekeeper, and the value of this activity is considered lower than male work outside the household.

How important is family in Chinese culture?

In China, family is regarded as the most important part of an individual’s life. While modern Chinese families have abandoned many old practices, the importance attributed to family remains strong.

What is the marriage culture in China?

There are two types of marriage among Chinese. One is the marriage arranged by the parents and relatives, the other is a marriage based on one’s own willingness and choice. Arranged marriage is no longer widely accepted.