Confucian Parenting
Confucianism has guided cultural norms and family dynamics in Asian societies for over 2000 years, shaping both social behaviours and family dynamics. If you have roots in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, or Vietnamese culture, this could influence how your family operates (whether your family realises it or not). At its core, Confucianism emphasises values such as filial piety, respect for elders, loyalty, proper conduct, and the pursuit of education. These principles aim to promote social harmony and guide individuals in their relationships, influencing everything from personal behaviour to parenting practices.
Key Values of Confucianism:
While Confucianism faced criticism during modernisation movements in the 20th century, its core values have persisted and even resurged in recent times. This resurgence reflects a renewed appreciation for traditional values that emphasise respect, discipline, and the collective well-being of the family.
In Western psychology, parenting styles can be categorised into four main types:
Authoritarian Parenting: Characterised by high demands and low responsiveness, focusing on obedience and discipline with limited emotional warmth.
Permissive Parenting: Involves high responsiveness with low demands, offering warmth and leniency with few boundaries.
Neglectful Parenting: Low in both demands and responsiveness, lacking guidance and involvement in the child's life.
Authoritative Parenting: Combines high demands with high responsiveness, encouraging independence while providing support.
On face value, Confucian parenting aligns with the authoritarian style but is uniquely shaped by its cultural context. It emphasises high control and involvement, with a strong focus on respect, duty, and academic achievement. Unlike typical authoritarian approaches, Confucian parenting is deeply rooted in the cultural value of filial piety, which prioritises the family unit and societal expectations over individual autonomy. This approach fosters a distinct sense of responsibility in both parents and children to honour, obey, and support their families.
By understanding the cultural dimensions of Confucian parenting, we can better appreciate its unique impact on family dynamics and children's development, highlighting the importance of balancing traditional values with the needs of modern parenting.
Take a moment to reflect: What values shaped your upbringing? How do they show up in how you parent or view family today? In the next post, we’ll explore how these values influence children’s emotional, academic, and psychological development and where challenges can arise.