Book summary for Literature review（2）

Guo,Xin (2021) Shifting Traditions of Childrearing in China Narratives from Three Generations of Women, ISBN 9781032022963, Published September 25, 2023 by Routledge

Confucian Philosophy:

Guo suggests that Confucian philosophy emphasises filial piety and has entrenched a hierarchical structure in Chinese families in which respect and obedience to elders is prioritised, influencing interactions within the family. In addition Confucian philosophy adheres to a specific family order in which each member has assigned roles, influencing daily interactions between generations and family expectations by reinforcing traditional roles, which tend to emphasise collective family goals over individual aspirations (pp. 14-15,27).

Moreover, a distinct hierarchy exists within the family: grandparents hold more authority than parents, with mothers positioned near the bottom, only above their daughters in the extended patrilineal family structure. This hierarchy reflects the traditional family power dynamics outlined in Confucius' "Three Obediences and Four Virtues," a foundational set of moral guidelines for women shaped by Confucian principles that also delineate women's roles within the household. The Three Obediences are: obedience to the father before marriage, to the husband after marriage, and to the son if widowed. The Four Virtues consist of virtue, speech, modesty, and diligence.(pp. 60)

Traditional practice

n traditional Chinese society, the role of women, particularly as housewives, was distinctly oriented towards fulfilling the duties of a good daughter-in-law rather than focusing primarily on being a good mother or wife, as contrasted with the Western concept of a housewife centered on domestic chores and childrearing. This expectation placed significant responsibility on women to navigate and adapt to their husband's family dynamics as a survival strategy, which was essential not only for their own well-being but also for their daughters'. Daughters were often seen as 'poured out water,' indicating that once married, they were expected to serve their husband's family and would not be a support system for their own parents in old age. (Guo, 2021 pp61-62)

This cultural practice was deeply embedded from an early age, with girls learning about their future roles and responsibilities through observing their mothers' lives within the patrilineal household. The ideal of the 'virtuous wife and good mother,' heavily promoted from the late Qing Dynasty through to modern times, was often upheld by male-driven political and social discourses, shaping the expected identity of women in society. Despite these pressures, the narratives of great-grandmothers in Guo's (2021) study reveal a discrepancy between the idealised image and the reality of their experiences. They often did not identify with the officially promoted role of 'virtuous wife and good mother,' instead choosing to describe their mothers with terms like 'capable' and 'caring,' which perhaps offered a more personal and nuanced appreciation of their roles within the family. These insights highlight the complex impact of traditional practices on the identities and experiences of mothers and daughters in Chinese history.

Guo(2020) explores the impact of China's ‘education fever’ on mothers, citing Kuan's (2015) ethnographic study that describes the phenomenon in detail, revealing that mothers' heightened concern for their children's academic success is not merely for the sake of ambition, but rather is deeply rooted in ethical and parental responsibilities, and sees supervising their children as a way of expressing their love and concern for them.Guo shows that this commitment, although often seen as irrational, actually reflects the self-sacrifice that mothers will make to ensure a prosperous future for their children. And he emphasises the complex interplay between societal expectations and personal beliefs that shape mothers' practices under China's enormous educational pressures（pp23).

Traditional Gender Ideology

Guo(2021) argue that traditional gender ideologies that devalue women’s roles outside of motherhood continue to impact family patterns profoundly. These ideologies reinforce women’s primary identification as caregivers, which can limit their opportunities and influence within broader societal and professional contexts. This traditional view contributes to a dynamic where women’s roles are seen as less valuable beyond their capacity as mothers, impacting the power dynamics within the family and broader social structures (pp. 19-20).