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I`m an editor at best-essays-sites.com. I have a master’s degree in psychology and more than seven years’ experience as a writer and editor.

Chinese and American Education

Despite all the globalization processes, methods of children education in the various countries differ. The basic principles of child-rearing are largely dependent on the people’s culture and traditions, which were formed for over hundreds of years. Today many Chinese parents become oriented to the Western values due to the process of globalization. However, there are still specific features of education that are sharply opposite to American ones. Thus, due to different traditions and cultures, Chinese and American parents have different methods of educating their children, which results in the opposite systems of values.

Chinese Education Methods

The veneration of ancestors is one of the core values of Chinese society, education system of which was greatly influenced by Confucian philosophy (Chen 306). Accordingly, respect for parents is a basis of the whole educational system of the younger generation in China. The main value in Chinese culture is the idea of son’s gratitude that means reverence, respect and the sense of gratitude not only to parents, but also to all ancestors (Huang and Gove 12). In China children are obliged not only to obey their parents, but also to take care of them.


Equally strong cultural tradition of children education in China is the desire of parents to give their children the most in the hope of receiving the maximum from them in the future. China is characterized by constant pressure on a child. When a child grows up, parents believe that he or she is required to go to university. The priority is given to obtaining a practical specialty in terms of future earnings (Chunrong 6). If a child is fascinated by music, literature or art, he or she can continue creative education only if his or her parents have confidence that this work will generate income in the future.

American Education Methods

The American system of children education is formed under the direct influence of the European one. It is due to the fact that the United States is the country, in which there are people, gathered from all parts of the Old World. In the American system the leading position is occupied by the child's freedom and individuality (Parker). At the same time the intervention of public authorities is very great. Children can complaint of their parents; it results in parents’ problems, including criminal liability. The main rule of the U.S. education system is the fact that any punishment should be accompanied by a detailed explanation of its motives. American parents believe that their children should rely on their own experience, which contributes to the formation of self-supporting and independence (Huo and Yuan 1323). The American system is good for the education of creative personalities, but at the same time it is not able to prepare disciplined workers, who can fulfill the chief orders unquestioningly.

Comparison between Systems

For an American Chinese saturation of intra-communication is somewhat unusual. In China the family unity is much more important than in the West, at least in the United States. The connection between parents and children is deeper in China than in the United States. Chinese parents do everything for their children expecting the appropriate care in their old age. In the United States the situation is different. By the time a child finishes school, parents feel that they have fulfilled their parental duty. Certainly, it does not mean that they leave a child alone. On the contrary, they are always ready to help. However, the extent of their involvement in a child's life is reduced. While in China parents are constantly involved in the lives of children - from the date of baby’s birth until the day of the departure from their own lives. This is the main difference in the performance of parental duty between American and Chinese parents.

In addition, the fundamental and most visible difference between Chinese and American families is the fact that at the moment it is allowed to have only one child in China. Certainly, there are exceptions and exemptions, but one-child policy continues to be followed towards the majority of the population. It means that all families are based on the ‘4-2-1’ format, that includes four grandparents, two parents and one child, who receives all attention and care on the part of the six adults. The third generations in these families are called ‘little emperors’.

As a result of different education systems American and Chinese children have different ideals and values in their adulthood. Chinese children are more concentrated on achieving success, but they have fewer opportunities for creative development. In addition, they have a sense of duty towards their parents. On contrary, American parents bring up their children to become creative personalities, who are focused on the freedom.

Certainly, many Chinese people start to realize that there is a shift from an industrial economy to a creative and innovative world. Therefore, some parents want to raise their children to be more creative and free personalities. In China people gradually realize that education according to the old scheme leads to the fact that children feel themselves uncomfortable. Accordingly, more and more parents encourage their children in the freedom of attitude and allow them to choose what to do after school. Modern Chinese parents are more likely to employ the western model of education. Nevertheless, traditions are still very strong in the Chinese society, especially in a Chinese village, where three generations of the same family are still living under the same roof.

About the Author: Jimmy Ruiz is an editor at Best Essays Sites. He has a master’s degree in psychology and more than seven years’ experience as a writer and editor. Jimmy is primarily focused on writing about self-improvement.

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