FREE ESSAY ON FILIAL PIETY IN CHINA

FILIAL PIETY IN CHINA

Introduction
Xiao, the Chinese word for filial piety is the defining feature in Chinese culture as
filial piety was extolled as the highest virtue in China for centuries. I subscribe to
the school of thought that filial piety is the root of Chinese ethics and with it all
enlightening studies come into existence. Chinese society was built upon the doctrine of
filial piety and that it is the theme in Chinese culture, influencing all aspects of
Chinese lives. 
In this essay, I will examine the significance of filial piety in Chinese culture. Albeit
I have no wish of making the mistake of generalization, what I seek to define is the
undercurrent theme in all Chinese families which I believe is filial piety. As I believe
that filial piety is the common thread that runs in every Chinese family. I am fully
aware that my study of filial piety does not apply to every Chinese family, so I can only
say that I am sure filial piety endures in different forms, having been infiltrated
through many generations and eroded by different events. 
In order to make my stand, I will be exploring the traditional meaning of filial piety in
China, if and how various incidents may have impacted filial piety in China. I will also
be analyzing the implications of the erosion of filial piety and the importance of filial
piety in modern China. 
Traditional Filial Piety
To define traditional filial piety in Chinese culture, it is imperative that I draw on
the works of Confucius as Confucianism is the system that has dominated Chinese thought
throughout most of history, controlling Chinese education, society and government for
some 2,000 years. It would be necessary to take into account Mencius's philosophy as he
was also a strong influence on Chinese culture. 
Xiao in traditional Chinese societies fundamentally means gratitude to one's parents for
giving one life and the duty and obligation to repay one's parents for having brought one
up. It means love and uncompromising respect for one's parents and total obedience to
one's parents. It also means honouring one's parents after their death. 
However, Xiao has many other connotations in the traditional Chinese culture. It pertains
to servitude towards one's parents and the duty to continue the family lineage by
producing offspring. It also refers to ancestor worship and respect for all who are more
elderly than oneself, love for one's older siblings and good behaviour so as not to bring
disgrace and shame to one's family. 
As early as 87 B.C., Xiao-Jing or Classic of Filial Piety was one of the first texts
mastered by children. The compulsory learning of Xiao-Jing served two main purposes.
Firstly, children were taught filial piety as a foundation for other virtues such as
propriety, wisdom and fidelity. Chinese parents generally believed that if children were
brought up in the right environment, they would grow up to become responsible and morally
correct adults. Confucian scholars instituted that filial piety is the root of good
conduct and without filial piety, men would be rebellious, dishonest and undisciplined.
It is stated in the Analects of Confucius, ...filial piety and fraternal submission! -
are they not the root of all benevolent actions? It was believed that filial men would
possess the qualities of benevolence, righteousness, desire for peace and harmony and
impartiality. Therefore, by teaching children filial piety, parents believed that they
were at the same time, providing them with cardinal moral education.
Secondly, the traditional Chinese societal and governmental systems as prescribed by
Confucius are based on hierarchy. Thus, it was essential that children are trained to
respect authority. Filial piety is believed to inculcate the qualities of loyalty to
one's country, responsibility towards society and state. If children are taught from
young to respect and obey the key authoritarian figure in the household, that is the
father, they would from there learn how to respect and obey society's and government's
laws and advocates. 
Mencius held that,  the root of the empire is in the state, and the root of the state is
in the family. At the same time, their learning of filial piety would also ingrain in
them the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in the family, translating into
upholding peace in harmony in society and country, as the family is the primary unit of
society in Chinese culture. It is said in The Great Learning that, 
...wishing to order well their states, they first regulated their families. Wishing to
regulate their families, they first cultivate the persons. Wishing to cultivate the
persons, they first rectified their hearts. Wishing to rectify their hearts, they first
sought to be sincere in their thoughts... 
Traditionally, filial piety was only deemed so in its purest definition. It was not only
adhered to as a code of conduct, but more importantly, as a code of thought. The most
important aspect of filial piety as stated by Confucius was sincerity. He instituted
that,
 the filial piety of nowadays means the support of one's parents. But dogs and horses
likewise are able to do something in the way of support: - without reverence, what is
there to distinguish the one support from the other? 
The Change of Filial Piety in China
The erosion of filial piety started as early as the Former Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 8)
. It was a period of upheaval as traditional values and social order started to take a
backseat to individualistic values. Nonetheless, the value of filial piety survived, only
to come under attack again during the May Fourth Movement in 1919. 
During the May Fourth Movement, many intellectuals such as Xin Qin-Nian and Lu Xun, Wu Yu
and Hu Shi criticized the concept of filial piety, claiming it to be the instrument for
unquestioned governmental authority, producing citizens who were not capable of original
thoughts and opinions, thus creating an obstacle for China to modernize. They also
claimed that filial piety, with its connotations of obedience and loyalty eliminated any
desire to protest or rebel on the part of the people. One intellectual condemned filial
piety as hypocrisy as he stated, 
The father wishes his son to be filial and exacts this by fear and force, and the son
becomes a slave and a beast. So filial devotion is the father's personal gain...The son
wishes the father's benevolence only for his own benefit...and parents become 'ox and
horse to posterity'...So parental benevolence is the son's personal gain. 
In fact, during the May Fourth Movement, the spirit against Confucianism and with it,
filial piety, was so strong that the slogan Overthrow Confucius and Sons enjoyed great
popularity. 
If the May Fourth Movement provided the ammunition for the collapse of filial piety, the
Cultural Revolution definitely pulled the trigger. During the Cultural Revolution,
students were taught to be politically and socially active, to revere the Chinese
Communist Party and to study the Marxist-Leninist classics, in place of the study of
Chinese Classics. Children were taught that they should love Chairman Mao more than they
love their own parents and that their country should come before their families. A
popular song during the Cultural Revolution enunciated, ...Father and Mother are dear but
not as dear as Chairman Mao 
Many children were also pressured to criticize and disown their parents. In an account of
a girl grew up in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, it was told that she disowned her
father completely after being told by her teacher that her fathers was a Rightist. She
wrote her father a letter to denounce him and did not even write a salutation at the top
of the letter as she did not feel that an enemy of the people was fit to be her father.
Like her, many others blamed their parents for the hardships that they had to endure and
had no qualms in reporting on their parents, criticizing and disowning their parents. In
a similar account of a girl who left home during the Cultural Revolution, she made a
clean break with her family as she was expelled from the Red Guards and suffered all
kinds of discrimination after her mother was labelled a renegade. 
In fact, children of former landlords, rich peasants, counterrevolutionaries, bad
elements, rightists, the bourgeoisie and capitalist roaders could only join the Red
Guards after they renounced their class and denounced their parents. 
Parental control over their children was disintegrated as many families were separated
with students given encouragement to travel country-wide with free transport or parents
with black backgrounds being sent to reform camps. In Niu-Niu's autobiography , after her
parents were incarcerated, she was left in the care of her grandmother who loved her well
and with whom she had strong attachments. However, she still rebelled, engaging in theft
and getting involved in juvenile activities. Her rebellion clearly stemmed from the lack
of parental control. 
The Cultural Revolution can be seen as the period of temporary collapse of filial piety
in China. The Confucian value system which has survived thousands of years crumbled under
the political and social stress that all families in China faced during the Cultural
Revolution. It is ironical that the Confucian virtues of obedience and reverence to
authority which is supposedly to be rooted in filial piety was used to turn children
against their parents. 
Another contributing factor to the erosion of filial piety in China is the modernization
of China. Since implementation of the Open-Door Policy in the 1980's, Chinese youth has
been exposed to Western culture, which is often described as decadent. Although the
concept of filial piety was a strong cultural factor in the history of Western
civilizations, it gradually declined whereas it remained a central theme in Chinese
culture. In the United States, close ties with parents are perceived as inhibitions of
autonomy, initiation, industry and personal identity. 
From a Western perspective, the Confucian concept of filial piety would be seen as a
weakness and is unhealthy as many Westerners view individuality autonomy as the basis for
freedom and societal progress. Therefore, it is inevitable that Chinese youth who are
exposed to Western influences through various media such as literature, television,
publications and music would unconsciously be shaped to accept Western cultures. More so
that Chinese youth perceive Western culture as more desirable than Chinese culture as
they are perceived to be more modernized, affluent and sophisticated. Therefore, Chinese
youth may be seeking to adopt the Western value system, which contrasts with the
Confucian value system that articulates filial piety.
Implications of the Erosion of Filial Piety
The most dramatic implication of the erosion of filial piety in China was the Tiananmen
Incident on the fourth of June in 1989. Even though the motive of the student
demonstrators was to protest against the government, in many ways, the Tiananmen Incident
can be linked to the erosion of filial piety. In the Declaration of Hunger Strike, the
students wrote,
...But we know that we are still children, the children of China...We say to our dear
mothers and fathers, do not feel sorry for us when we are hungry...farewell, father and
mother, forgive us that we're being unfaithful as your children...we must first be
faithful first to our country... 
This indicated that the students placed the country before their parents, which is a
violation of the Confucian concept of filial piety. It also indicated that the students
were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of democracy rather than living on to
repay their parents the debt of giving them life and having brought them up, which is
another violation of the Confucian concept of filial piety. However, the students also
wrote, 
Dear Mother and Father, I am part of this student movement because I love my
country...Rest assured that your son will not bring shame upon you. I will not die in
disgrace...Perhaps I will not fulfill my filial duty...it has been impossible to satisfy
the demands of both loyalty to one's nation and filial duty to one's parents...please
understand why your son takes this action. 
They were clearly aware of the aspect of Confucian concept of filial piety that one
should not behave irresponsibly so as to maintain the reputation of one's family. From
their point of view, they had a greater cause to attend to and that their parents should
be proud of what they are doing for China. So, in that sense they did see themselves as
unfilial. However, their Confucian concept of filial piety was not complete or rather it
has been self-modified to suit their needs as they have neglected the aspect of the
Confucian concept of filial piety that one should first serve one's parents in order to
serve one's country.
Another implication of the erosion of filial piety is the rise in juvenile delinquency.
The Chinese news media reported a dramatic increase in juvenile crime and that juvenile
delinquency accounts for nearly 70% of all crime in China. In fact, juvenile delinquency
has increased more than ten times since the early 1960's. Although this can be attributed
to many factors, I believe that the erosion of filial piety is one of the major causes. 
The emergence of any form of juvenile delinquency can be seen as double failure of if
incorrect thought and incorrect behaviour. This is true in the context of Confucianism as
Confucian ideology establishes that people should be obedient to their parents and to the
state, and that people should seek to maintain harmony in their families and in society.
From that point of view, it could also be the lack of authority on the part of the
parents and the lack of obedience and respect for their parents on the part of the
children that contributed to the rise in juvenile delinquency. 
Filial Piety in Modern China
Does filial piety still exist in China today? I will say that it does, only that it has
greatly deviated from the traditional Confucian ideology of filial piety. Its importance
has decreased substantially as it has been modified to suit the lifestyles of the people
in China and young adults have a somewhat larger say over their own lives. 
This can be seen in the diminishing role of parents as the decision-maker in the choice
of their children's marriage partner. In the Chinese tradition, parents play the dominant
role in the selection of a suitable marriage partner for their children. In today's
Chinese society, more than 80% of young married couples met their marriage partners
through their own social circles. Furthermore, a very high proportion of young married
couples prefer to live apart from their parents. 
However, survey results also show that a large majority of young couples sought and
respected their parents' view of their marriage. Married couples also tended to maintain
close ties with their parents even if they are not living with them. In addition to that,
children generally consulted with their parents whenever they faced difficulties in their
lives. 
Today, the relationship between parents and children is still one of respect, but it is
definitely a far cry from the kind of parent-child relationship that used to exist in
traditional Chinese societies. As parents do not play the dominating role in their
children's lives anymore, their control over their children is somewhat limited. On the
other hand, parents in China today are comfortable with their children having more
autonomy. 
Therefore, parent-child relations are not as formal as they used to be. There is stronger
affection between parents and children, and less authority and obedience. Today's
definition of filial piety seem to be more of one that is of genuine care and concern for
one's parents, not one that was enforced by the legal and social structures or one that
was out of obligation. 
Conclusion
As Chinese society is undergoing drastic change, the question is whether the doctrine of
filial piety is one that is worth preserving and utilized in the exchange of cultures
between the east and the west. This question is of utmost importance, as it seems that
filial piety is in a very clear danger of extinction. 
One of the reasons why filial piety would be a valuable trait to be adopted in the west
is that societies in western countries such as the United States are desperately in need
of a value that entails better treatment of the elderly and greater family cohesion. Many
social problems that exist in the United States today can be linked to the lack of such
values. In fact, filial piety can be looked at as the affirmation of affection for human
life and society, and it could serve as a consolidating factor of society. 
Another reason why filial piety should be preserved is that it has been the core of
Chinese societies for thousands of years, it would be equivalent to the extinction of the
Chinese language if this value were allowed to just erode till it ceases to exist.
Subscribing to the school of thought that the Chinese were a cultural identity before
they were a nationality, the Chinese do not deserve being called the Chinese anymore if
they were no longer filial sons and daughters. 
From my point of view, filial piety serves more good than it does harm. As China
approaches an age that is very focused on technology and consumerism, it sometimes seems
to me that the Chinese are becoming more self-centred, materialistic and impersonal.
Perhaps with the reinstillation if the importance of filial piety, China could once again
gain the respect of the world and re-emerge as the world power that it rightfully should
be.
From a personal point of view, having grown up in a Chinese family, albeit not a
traditional one, has ingrained the concept of filial piety deeply in me and it is as
natural to me as breathing, even though filial piety was a virtue that was never spoken
of explicitly in my family. I would never be able to explain where and how I absorbed it.
All in I know is that it is the determinant of my chineseness.
Bibliography
Bibliography
Primary Sources:
1. Niu-Niu (1994), No Tears for Mao: Growing up in the Cultural Revolution, Academy
Chicago Publishers, Chicago 
2. Legge, James (1891),The Chinese Classics, John B. Alden (Publisher), New York 
Secondary Sources (Books):
1. Barry, Theodore de, Chan, Wing-Tsit & Watson, Burton (1960), Sources of Chinese
Tradition, Columbia University Press, New York
2. Calhoun, Craig (1994), Neither Gods nor Emperors - Students and the Strugglers for
Democracy in China, University of California Press, California
3. Chan, Wing-Tsit (1967), Chinese Theory and Practice with Special Reference to
Humanism, in Charles A. Moore (ed), The Chinese Mind - Essentials of Chinese Philosophy
and Culture, East-West Center Press, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu
4. Chow, Tse-Tung (1960), The May Fourth Movement, Stanford University Press, Stanford,
California 
5. Chu, Godwin C. & Ju, Yanan (1993), The Great Wall in Ruins, State University of New
York Press, Albany
6. Feng, Jicai (1996), Confessional, Ten Years of Madness: Oral Histories of China's
Cultural Revolution, China Books & Periodicals Inc., San Francisco 
7. Grant, Geoffrey (1989), The Family and Social Control: Traditional and Modern, in
Troyer, R. and Clark, J. and Rojek, D. (ed), Social Control in the People's Republic of
China, Praeger Publishers, New York
8. Hsieh, Yu-Wei (1967),  Filial Piety and Chinese Society, in Charles A. Moore (ed), The
Chinese Mind - Essentials of Chinese Philosophy and Culture, East-West Center Press,
University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu
9. Jing, Lin, (1991), Educational Factors, The Red Guards' Path to Violence: Political,
Educational and Psychological Factors, Praeger Publishers, New York 
10. Kinney, Anne Behnke (ed)(1995), Dyed Silk, Chinese Views of Childhood, University of
Hawaii Press, Honolulu 
11. Lee, Peter King Hung (1974), Key Intellectual Issues Arising from the May Fourth
Movement in China, Ann Arbor (Publisher), University Microfilms International, Michigan
12. Levy, Marion J. Jr. (1963), The Family Revolution in Modern China, Octagon Books
Inc., New York
13. Lu, XinHua (1979), The Wounded in Lu Xin Hua et. al., The Wounded: New Stories of the
Cultural Revolution, Joint Publishing Co., Hong Kong
14. Lupher, Mark (1995), Revolutionary Little Red Devils: The Psychology of Rebel Youth,
in Anne Behnke Kinney (ed) Chinese Views of Childhood, University of Hawaii Press,
Honolulu
15. Mather, Richard B. (1995), Filial Paragons and Spoilt Brats, in Anne Behnke Kinney
(ed) Chinese Views of Childhood, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu
16. Rojek, Dean G. (1989), Confucianism, Maoism, and the Coming of Delinquency to China,
in Troyer, R. and Clark, J. and Rojek, D. (ed), Social Control in the People's Republic
of China, Praeger Publishers, New York
17. Scott, J.W. Robertson (1990), The People of China, Methuen & Co., London
18. Stacey, Judith, (1983), Patriarchy and Socialist Revolution in China, University of
California Press, Berkeley, California
19. Unger, Jonathon (1993), Urban Families in the Eighties, in Deborah Davis & Stevan
Harrel (ed), Chinese Families in the Post-Mao Era, University of California Press,
Berkely, California
20. Wang Liu Hui-Chen (1959), Chinese Clan Rules, in Arthur F. Wright (ed), Confucianism
and Chinese Civilization, Stanford University Press, Stanford, California
21. Wen, Chihua (1995), The Red Mirror: Children of China's Cultural Revolution, West
View Press, Colorado
22. Wu, Laurence C. (1986), Fundamentals of Chinese Philosophy, University Press of
America, New York 
23. Wu, Hung (1995), Private Love and Public Duty in Anne Behnke Kinney (ed) Chinese
Views of Childhood, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu
24. Young, Graham (1985), China - Dilemmas of Modernization, Croom Helm, London
25. Zang, Xiaowei (1999) Family, Kinship, Marriage and Sexuality, in Robert E. Gamer (ed)
Understanding Contemporary China, Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder, Colorado
26. Zi, Jin & Qin, Zhou (1989), June Four - A Chronicle of the Chinese Democratic
Uprising, The University of Arkansas Press, Arkansas
Secondary Sources (Articles):
1. Rothbaum, Fred & Xu, Xiaofang (1995), The Theme of Giving Back to Parents in Chinese
and American Songs, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 698-699
2. Rock, Paul (1990), Patriarchy, Patrimonialism, and Filial Piety: A Comparison of China
and Western Europe, British Journal of Sociology, vol. 41, pp. 77-104
3. Healy, Tim (1999), Is an End to the Family Ahead?, Asiaweek 20/27 August,
http://www.pathfinder.com:80/asiaweek/current/issue/cs26.html