Lai Hoi-ying, Hidy 06013651Luk Yuen-ki, Karen 06018351

Behavioral, psychological & social relations among various members of the nuclear family & the extended family

China- “Family as the centre

of origin” (以家為本）

- Family interest as the first priority

Western Europe- Individual as the

centre of origin- Individual interest as

the first priority

Family size Family structure Parents’ role and status in the family Relations outside nuclear family

China- Bigger- More family members, e.g.

more children, more generations

Western Europe- Smaller- Relatively less family

members

Difficult to reach compromises through discussion ( big family)∵

Father: the only decision-making body

Distant relationship between members

Closer relationship between members (nuclear family)More open

communicationMore discussion

and negotiation

China- Normal family: Father +

mother + Children- Tend not to divorce

Western Europe- Higher divorce rate- Family formed by

different components- E.g. Single parent,

Stepfather/ stepmother, recomposed family

More stable and simpler relation

More complicated relation

1: “Divorce is never justifiable” 10: “Divorce is always justifiable”

China- Father works outside,

Mother stays at home and looks after children (男主外，女主內）

- Father: authoritative- Mother: auxiliary (輔助 )

- Unequal status: inclined to one-side

- Less discussion

Western Europe- Both father and

mother work - Friendly relation- Equal status: bilateral- Based on

communication & negotiation

China- Better linkage with

extended family (relatives)

- Precedence maintenance between seniors and juniors(長幼有序 )

- Emphasize on appellation(稱謂 )

- E.g. different and clear appellation for relatives from father-side ( 伯 、叔、姑姐 ) and mother-side (舅、姨 )

Western Europe- Less linkage with

extended family- Relation constrained

more in nuclear family

- Less emphasize on appellation

- More casual- E.g. auntie, uncle

Western Europe- Well-developed social welfare policy - E.g. pension, medical care- State supports the elderly- Individual as the centre of origin- When the children grow up support their next

generation- Little support to their parents- Parents children

China- Under-developed

social welfare policy- Family as the centre

of origin- Children think they

have the obligation and should support their parents

- Parent ＜－＞Children (反哺 )

- E.g. HK: regular financial contribution (家用 ) to parents

Control the number of children in the nuclear family

Change the role of parents

Father: less authoritative, concern more on the child, more communication Some parents even dote

on their child, satisfy all desires of the childChild: “little emperor” in the family

14/03/2007 青 島 11 歲 女 童 因 母 親 不 肯 買 裙 ， 危 坐 窗 台 威 脅 要 跳 樓

14/03/2007 長 春 3 歲 男 童 被 父 母 縱 容 每 玩 電 腦 遊 戲 逾 三 小 時 ， 導 致 300 度 大 近 視 01/03/2007 吉 林 梅 河 口 市 7 歲 男 童 因 母 親 動 用 他 的 利 是 錢 ， 用 燒 紅 的 鐵 枝 燙 傷 母 親 右 腿

20/02/2007 湖 南 益 陽 9 歲 男 童 沉 迷 玩 煙 花 ，被

母 親 責 備 「 你 怎 麼 不 懂 節 制 ！ 」 憤 而 從 二 樓 住 所 跳 下

05/02/2007 湖 南 長 沙 11 歲 男 童 問 67 歲 拿 一塊

錢 買 鞭 炮 不 果 ， 將 關 在 門 外 捱 凍 四 小 時

China: Relation based on Family Europe: Relation based on Individual China: concern more on vertical (ancestors)

and horizontal (relatives) relation Europe: concern more on nuclear family Social policies/ changes affect family relation

in China and Europe