Differences between Chinese and Western Family Education

【Abstract】Family education is elementary and important for children.Because of different culture，China and other western countries have different family education.This paper mainly analyzes these differences in three aspects：values of family education，ways of family education and influences of family education.In the end，it provides some suggestions for improving Chinese family education.

【Key Words】family education； difference； Chinese and western

1.Introduction

From ancient times to modern times，family education is always regarded as the most fundamental part of ones education.Either China or western countries，people all think that family is a childs first school，and parents are the first teachers.As we all know，China is an ancient country with a long history and bright culture.It advocates Confucianism while the western countries advocate the revival of literature and art，which gives rise to some differences between Chinese and western family education.

2.Different values of family education

Family education in China is influenced by traditional culture.Children are often considered as the greatest hope of parents and future of a family.In the process of childrens growth，the most important thing parents concerning is to see their sons or daughters make great achievements and become successful people.They get used to design a future for their children.As a result，they usually try their best to provide children available resources.Even from primary school，they often choose the best one for children，not only because of good education but also the reputation.As is known to all，Chinese parents like to talk about their own children and make comparison when stay together.If a child studies in an elite university，his parents will feel very proud and surly believe their child will have a promising prospect.To some extent，Chinese parents pay much attention to their face when educate their children.Apparently，the goal of Chinese family education is to let children succeed in life.

Western family focus on personality and the value orientation is individualism.Because western civilizations emphasize struggle，equality，democracy and human nature，western family usually pays great attention to the individuality and comprehensive quality.They provide children a free environment for growth and cultivate their various interests.Children are the masters of themselves.In most cases they can make own decisions and choose how to live their lives.

3.Different ways of family education

Because of different cultures and values，there are different ways of family education between China and western countries.

In China，parents have authority and dominance in family.It seems that children are their own private properties and need to be protected well.Children in a passive position should grow under the designed future plan.Study becomes the only thing to care about.They have to spend lots of time on books and try their best to get high scores.In addition，they go to all kinds of training organizations after school to make up lessons，to play the piano and so on.Most of them usually complain that they really dont like to take part in those interest classes which their parents have chosen for them.But our parents cannot understand these complaints.In their opinion，they spend lots of money and time to provide children a better education as possible as they can.Furthermore，parents restrain children from complex society in order not to be hurt or get bad influences.

However，western family emphasizes equality and democracy.Parents think of the child as an equal and independent member in the family.They respect childrens individual rights to think independently and choose freely.In the west，parents never impose education on children.They pay attention to childrens instinct and natural development.They prefer making their children practice by themselves，going to the nature and seeking knowledge from life.Children's study lies in many kinds of forms such as cooking class，handwork class and the playroom.Western parents do not think that play and study conflict with each other.

Chinese parents have conservative ideas about sex.They always think sex is very dangerous and protect their children from exposure to pornographic materials.For instance，when they watch TV together，parents will change the TV channel at once if there is some “improper” scene like kissing.Moreover，making friends with opposite sex is mostly not to be allowed by parents so as to thwart puppy love.

But in the west，people pay much attention to sex education in family.When they talk about sex，parents and children are just like friends.Children can know whatever they want form their parents.And they also can have their own boy or girl friend when begin to fall in love with someone.

4.Different influences of family education

In China，children get used to depending on their parents.As a result，many of them who are good at study lack the skills of living.Once I read a piece of news：A boy who attends a famous university cannot take care of himself，so his mother has to give up her job to look after his son.Besides，Chinese students are not good at social intercourse.They have bad communication skills，especially in front of strangers.It will take much time for them to adapt to the changing society when they leave school.

In west，children are more independent and confident.They have plentiful knowledge about life and practical ability which is out of a textbook.They can manage their own things and solve most problems.Some of them will go to famous universities，and some will find a normal job or a temporary job after high school.Anyhow they are easier to adapt to the new environment and know how to survive in society.Meanwhile their parents will never interfere with their choices.

5.Conclusion

As what has been discussed above，there are three main differences between Chinese and western family education.Maybe we can learn something to make our family education play a better role.Firstly，Parents should change education conception and educate children in social environment.Secondly，parents should not only pay much attention to childrens academic achievement but also social living ability.

References：

[1]Chen Ming.The Comparison of Family Education between Chinese and western countries[J].Comparative Education Review.1996.（2）：49-50.

作者简介：严文利，女，（1986-），汉族，四川南充人，硕士在读，研究方向：教育经济与管理。