The Meaning of “Filial Piety” to Older Chinese Parents

• In Event: 2266 - Family Section Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 12. Gender, Mothering, and Family Ideologies and Practices

Abstract

Despite the significance of filial piety in intergenerational relationships and its important influence on parental health and wellbeing, few studies have considered older parents’ perspectives regarding the definition of filial piety. Drawing on 432 responses to an open-ended question of “What makes a filial child in your view?” from a sample of older parents aged 60 to 79 in a rural Chinese county, this qualitative study explores the meaning of filial piety from the perspective of older parents. Content analysis reveals six broad themes. These include widely persistent traditional filial piety values yet in a much-diluted form (Theme 1 Obedience and respect and Theme 2 Maintain frequent contact and show emotional care), filial piety values that are similar to filial obligations described in Western cultures (Theme 3 Help older parents when in times of need and Theme 4 Be a good citizen and take good care of themselves and their families), and traditional filial piety values in the absolute form (Theme 5 Take care of every aspect of the parents’ life and Theme 6 Provide financial and material support to parents). Findings reflect the coexistence of traditional and modern filial values in relation to participants’ definition of filial piety, indicating that traditional filial piety values are fading even in one of the least developed areas in China.

Authors

• Yiqing Yang, Western Carolina University

• Ming Wen, University of Utah