1) The document discusses traditional concepts of the Chinese family and how they are challenged in modern life. It describes the characteristics of traditional Chinese family systems such as patriarchy and the importance of continuing the family line. 2) The main functions of traditional families are providing economic support through farming, ensuring the continuity of the family line and clan, and socializing children. 3) Modern challenges to traditional family concepts include a shift from collectivism to individualism, authoritarian to egalitarian family structures, and priorities moving from spirituality to materialism.

1. Theme 2 Chinese Culture and
Modern Life
Topic 1 traditional concepts of the family and modern life

2. Theme Mind Map
Different views on Traditional
traditional customs concepts of the
in modern society family and
4 1 modern life
Chinese culture
and modern life
3 2
Traditional Changes in Chinese
Chinese family patterns
customs and
modern life

3. Characteristics of the
traditional family systems
Exploration Journey:
Are traditional
concepts of the Main functions of traditional
1. Traditional family outmoded? families
concepts of the
family and
modern life Challenges to traditional
concepts of the family in
modern life

5. Are traditional concepts of the family
outmoded?

6. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

7. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
What are the characteristics of
the traditional Chinese family
systems?

8. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

9. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems

10. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Lineage and clan
system:
A group formed by
families of the same
family name and
ancestors, with the
same paternal
descent.

11. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Inheritance system:
The eldest son of
the legal wife is
given priority in
inheriting his
deceased father’s
identity, rights and
responsibilities.
Lineage and clan
system:
A group formed by
families of the same
family name and
ancestors, with the
same paternal
descent.

12. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Inheritance system:
The eldest son of
the legal wife is
given priority in
inheriting his
deceased father’s
identity, rights and
responsibilities.
Lineage and clan Patriarchy:
system: The blood
A group formed by relationship of the
families of the same entire family is
family name and defined by
ancestors, with the patrilineality.
same paternal
descent.

13. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Inheritance system: Patriarchal
The eldest son of supremacy:
the legal wife is A father has the
given priority in highest authority in
inheriting his a family. He controls
deceased father’s all family affairs.
identity, rights and
responsibilities.
Lineage and clan Patriarchy:
system: The blood
A group formed by relationship of the
families of the same entire family is
family name and defined by
ancestors, with the patrilineality.
same paternal
descent.

14. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

15. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems

16. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Father-son
domination:
Interaction between
parents and
children are valued,
especially the
father-son
relationship.

17. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Male dominance
and female
subordination:
Women are
subordinate and
dependent on men.
Father-son
domination:
Interaction between
parents and
children are valued,
especially the
father-son
relationship.

18. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Male dominance
and female
subordination:
Women are
subordinate and
dependent on men.
Father-son
Family orientation:
domination:
The family is
Interaction between
considered more
parents and
important than an
children are valued,
individual and is
especially the
regarded as the
father-son
dominant entity.
relationship.

19. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Characteristics of the traditional Chinese family systems
Traditional Chinese family
systems
Male dominance
and female
subordination: Family first:
Women are The interests of the
subordinate and family and the
dependent on men. needs of the clan
are extremely
important, personal
efforts aim to bring
honour to one’s
Father-son clan and ancestors.
Family orientation:
domination:
The family is
Interaction between
considered more
parents and
important than an
children are valued,
individual and is
especially the
regarded as the
father-son
dominant entity.
relationship.

20. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

21. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Let's Think
What are the main functions
of traditional families?

22. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Economic support

23. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Economic support

24. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Economic support
Ø Most Chinese families make their living by farming, and forms
a self-sustaining economy.

25. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Economic support
Ø Most Chinese families make their living by farming, and forms
a self-sustaining economy.
Ø Traditional families provide family members with
their daily needs.

26. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Economic support
Ø Most Chinese families make their living by farming, and forms
a self-sustaining economy.
Ø Traditional families provide family members with
their daily needs.
Ø Family properties are used to
finance the daily expense of the
family members and are divided
among the children upon the
father’s death.

27. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Economic support
Ø Most Chinese families make their living by farming, and forms
a self-sustaining economy.
Ø Traditional families provide family members with
their daily needs.
Ø Family properties are used to
finance the daily expense of the
family members and are divided
among the children upon the
father’s death.
Traditional Chinese society was mainly based
on a ‘small peasant economy’.

28. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Continuity of
lineage and clan

29. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Continuity of
lineage and clan

30. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Continuity of
lineage and clan
Ø Traditional Chinese families advocate having more
sons and many children and grandchildren.

31. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Continuity of
lineage and clan
Ø Traditional Chinese families advocate having more
sons and many children and grandchildren.
Ø There are three reasons:

32. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Continuity of
lineage and clan
Ø Traditional Chinese families advocate having more
sons and many children and grandchildren.
Ø There are three reasons:
1. To ensure someone will inherit the male lineage.
2. To ensure that parents are provided for.
3. More family members increase production.

33. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

34. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Nowadays, Hong Kong’s social
security is getting better. Will the
function of continuity of lineage
and clan of traditional Chinese
families be weakened as a
result?

35. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Socialization

36. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Socialization

37. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Socialization
Ø For their children, traditional families will:

38. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Socialization
Ø For their children, traditional families will:
- pass on rules in life;
- instil moral values;
- teach them how to read and write;
- develop skills for work.

39. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Socialization
Ø For their children, traditional families will:
- pass on rules in life;
- instil moral values;
- teach them how to read and write;
- develop skills for work.
In a traditional society,
fathers are often role models
for their sons.

40. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Socialization refers to the process in
which a person understands how to speak
and act appropriately according to one’s own
role through learning and imitating the
behaviour of other people.

41. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Socialization can be carried out through
the agents below. Discuss with
classmates how they bring about the
process of socialization!
Family Media
Peers
Schools
Government

42. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Other functions:
security, welfare, leisure

43. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Other functions:
security, welfare, leisure

44. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Other functions:
security, welfare, leisure
Ø Security: the clan has the responsibility to protect the rights
of the clansmen.

45. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Other functions:
security, welfare, leisure
Ø Security: the clan has the responsibility to protect the rights
of the clansmen.
Ø Welfare: the clan offers assistance when clansmen
encounter difficulties.

46. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Other functions:
security, welfare, leisure
Ø Security: the clan has the responsibility to protect the rights
of the clansmen.
Ø Welfare: the clan offers assistance when clansmen
encounter difficulties.
Ø Leisure: family members get
together at leisure time to enjoy
all forms of entertainment to
improve their relationships.

47. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Main functions of traditional families
Other functions:
security, welfare, leisure
Ø Security: the clan has the responsibility to protect the rights
of the clansmen.
Ø Welfare: the clan offers assistance when clansmen
encounter difficulties.
Ø Leisure: family members get
together at leisure time to enjoy
all forms of entertainment to
improve their relationships.
Worshipping ancestors is also a function of
traditional families.

48. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

49. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
What are the challenges to
traditional concepts of the
family in modern life?

50. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Collectivism vs. Individualism

51. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Collectivism vs. Individualism

52. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Collectivism vs. Individualism
Ø Modern people are more and more concerned about personal
interests and their own points of view.

53. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Collectivism vs. Individualism
Ø Modern people are more and more concerned about personal
interests and their own points of view.
Ø Personal responsibilities towards one’s family have not
completely disappeared.

54. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Collectivism vs. Individualism
Ø Modern people are more and more concerned about personal
interests and their own points of view.
Ø Personal responsibilities towards one’s family have not
completely disappeared.
Ø Family members help one another in times of difficulties.

55. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Authoritarianism vs. Egalitarianism

56. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Authoritarianism vs. Egalitarianism

57. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Authoritarianism vs. Egalitarianism

58. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Authoritarianism vs. Egalitarianism
Ø Husband and wife are more equal.

59. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Authoritarianism vs. Egalitarianism
Ø Husband and wife are more equal.
Ø Children’s will is more respected by
the parents.

60. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Authoritarianism vs. Egalitarianism
Ø Husband and wife are more equal.
Ø Children’s will is more respected by
the parents.
Ø Family members negotiate and
cooperate with their family members.

61. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

62. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
How did reform and opening-up
lead to the concept of equality
of husband and wife in China?

63. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Spiritualism vs. Materialism

64. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Spiritualism vs. Materialism

65. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Spiritualism vs. Materialism
Ø Still take spirituality and ethics as the basis for maintaining
family relationships.

66. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Spiritualism vs. Materialism
Ø Still take spirituality and ethics as the basis for maintaining
family relationships.
Ø There are often contradictions between personal enjoyment
and family relationships, which may result in conflicts.

67. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

68. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Think about the situation in Hong
Kong. Are there some examples
which show that individuals have
conflicts with family members due
to enjoyment of life?

69. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Family vs. Non-familial
socialization socialization

70. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Family vs. Non-familial
socialization socialization

71. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Family vs. Non-familial
socialization socialization
Ø The function of socialization is
gradually being replaced by other
agents, such as schools, the media,
government propaganda, religious
bodies, etc.

72. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Family vs. Non-familial
socialization socialization
Ø The function of socialization is
gradually being replaced by other
agents, such as schools, the media,
government propaganda, religious
bodies, etc.
Ø But the family’s function of
socialization still holds a very
important place.

73. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Family vs. Non-familial
socialization socialization
Ø The function of socialization is
gradually being replaced by other
agents, such as schools, the media,
government propaganda, religious
bodies, etc.
Ø But the family’s function of
socialization still holds a very
important place.
Traditional families serve an important function in
socialization.

74. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

75. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Do modern Hong Kong families
have the function of nurturing
their children’s values?

76. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Family education in Hong Kong
develops national awareness
On the National Day, some local parents brought their children to
watch the flag raising ceremony, participate in the National Day carnival
and watch the fireworks display. By doing so, they hoped to nurture their
children’s national identity.
Mrs. Chan, who lives in Quarry Bay, specifically arranged a ‘national
education one-day trip’ and said, ‘I fear that my two children do not have
national awareness, so I want to take them out to learn more. I want them
to realize that they are Chinese and should feel proud of their country.’
(Source: Adapted from reports of various local newspapers dated 3 October 2009.)

77. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Production vs. Consumption
and allocation and leisure

78. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Production vs. Consumption
and allocation and leisure

79. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Production vs. Consumption
and allocation and leisure
Ø Most modern people work outside their home or run their own
business.

80. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Production vs. Consumption
and allocation and leisure
Ø Most modern people work outside their home or run their own
business.
Ø The development of the free market broke the tradition of self-
sustainability of families.

81. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Challenges to traditional concepts of the family in modern life
Production vs. Consumption
and allocation and leisure
Ø Most modern people work outside their home or run their own
business.
Ø The development of the free market broke the tradition of self-
sustainability of families.
Ø Most families have lost their function of
production and allocation. Consumption
and leisure have become the major
activities of a family.

82. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?

83. Exploration Journey: Are traditional concepts of the
family outmoded?
Life in Hong Kong is tense, and
everyone is ‘working hard for a
living’. But family affection is also
very important. How should modern
people allocate the time spent on
work, studies, and with their family?

84. The End