Parent as Surrogate Teacher: Uncovering and Theorizing Parents' Digital Labor in Home-Based Online Learning

• In Event: Advocating, Educating, and Policy Making: Family and Community Engagement to Advance Equity

Abstract

The digital age has reconstructed school work and responsibilities. Parents' digital labor and role changes deserve systematic exploration. This study investigates Chinese parents' digital labor in home-based online learning and how parent-teacher power relations influence it. Ninety self-narrated essays are selected as the data source. Parents take on both the role of parent and surrogate teacher. Behind these two roles is a spectrum of digital labor, ranging from technical support, notification delivery, and homework submission to monitoring and guidance of school learning, learning content & time arrangement at home, and communication. While technology strengthens the existing unequal power relations, it also breaks teachers' monopoly in teaching affairs. Parents thus experience mixed emotions and develop a shared responsibility with teachers.

Authors

• Yansi Hou, East China Normal University

• Shuangye Chen, Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Yuwen Peng, East China Normal University