family in china
...age, and when they die the son inherits the estate. A man and his wife owe obedience to his parents; the majority of Chinese cannot have an independent social life until their parents die (Blunden, 519). This is due to the high respect the hold for their elders. In China the elderly are placed above those who are younger due to their life experiences and wisdom. Aging is seen as a very respectable process in China because with it comes knowledge that younger people do not have. In the past, a younger person was punished more severely if they committed a crime against an elder as opposed to a stranger (Regional, 223). Deference and obedience to elders is very important. Respect for elders is shown by appropriate terms of address and not defending oneself when criticized (Encyclopedia of World Cultures, 75). Large families have always been dominant in China. Now there is a one-child policy, which will change this family based, community oriented society. This was a culture based on heavy reliance upon the family, and that will all change once families begin to shrink severely (Worldmark, 168). The one child policy has had negative affects on the aging population as well. Most rural elderly have no old age pensions and must rely on adult kids for support, and since there is often only one child, they are not as able to care for parents (Perkins, 152). The growth of the population will diminish but at a significant human cost. Families will be drastically altered because children will not have siblings; there will be no aunts and uncles and relatives to rely on and live with (Worldmark, 168). With this policy comes the practices of female infanticide (because men pass on the family name, are more valued in the work force and care for their parents), international adoption and forced abortions, which will dramatically change the Chinese ideals of family (Worldmark, 169). Both China and the United States share many similarities and differences in terms of their views on both family and aging. On the whole, citizens in both countries share strong family ties, provide help and unconditional love to family members and often feel closest with those in one’s family. Family is important in both countries, but Chinese families are much closer and more dependent upon each other. This is mainly due to the fact that children feel obligated to provide for parents, live together, share finances and eat all meals together. Families spend much more time with each other in China, whereas friends and peers as often just as important as family in America. However, much like America, the nuclear family is becoming more important in China, with young urban families establishing independence if they can afford to. A lot of families do not remain close in America because people have more opportunities to go elsewhere and expand their horizons. Money, success and distance often impede familial relationships. America is more of an individual society, with people often looking out for their own best interests; whereas China is more community and group oriented. Confucianism is the ancient philosophy of social order, and encourages this Chinese group consciousness, especially in rural areas (Culture, 37). They are taught from a very young age to be aware of the group and family unit, Americans are not. Similarly, upon the death of a spouse in both China and America, property is passed to the spouse and kids. Eating is an important way of socializing with families in each country, and parents and grandparents spoil only children rotten as well (Regional, 205). In both countries men and women work, there is a decline in total fertility, an increase in life expectancy and people select a marriage partner on the basis of love. Both societies practice homogamy which is the marriage of people who share a similar social class and education level (Ferrante, 417). In both countries child rearing is mostly left to women. However, in China grandparents often help with the children so the mother can find a job, once again reinstating the importance and need for the elderly. Mothers in America can afford to leave their children in the care of nannies or daycares. These options are simply not available to the majority of Chinese, so more reliance on the family for help is normal. Carrying on the family name is important in both countries, with preference for first-born sons in each society as well. However, due to the one child policy, and the belief that sons are indeed more able to care for and pass on the family name, China has a much more visible preference. The passing of the family’s name is so important in China that the eldest son is expected to adopt his brother’s son if he has no sons of his own (Countries, 472); it is not this way in America. In the United States most elderly are in nursing homes, in China most elderly are living full, active lives at home. Also, there are more two parent households in China, as opposed to America that has extremely high rates of divorce and single parent families. Medicine is a family and community thing in China, with at least one person in the extended family knowing about herbal medicines (Worldmark, 174); where as in America it is a professionally associated, well paying job. The main reason for this difference is the lack of money available to regularly visit the doctor, and the traditional belie...