Studies show that because of the influence of cultural background, the relationships among members of the family and the family values in China and America are completely different. That is, Chinese people advocate collectivism while Americans value inpidualism (Quan Guoliang & Si Qin, 2010, pp.113-117).
In the research of the American family values, Wang Cheng (2005, pp.7-8) summarizes independence, inpidual rights, freedom and equality. Nevertheless, some researchers deem that the main purpose of the American family is to bring happiness to each inpidual family member. Their traditional family values include love and respect for all the family members. Equality of love is the main family value in the modern American family (Tu Zibei, 2011, p.39).
A large number of scholars in the research of family education values have discussed the relationships between family members and differences of marriage, education and some reasons for the differences between china and America. We have found a limited number of the studies on the differences of the family values between Chinese and American, thus, my research intends to do further research in this aspect.源]自{751^*论\文}网·www.751com.cn/
3. Differences of Family Education Values between China and America
3.1 Different Opinions upon Family Education Values
(1) Different Emphasis on Education
Many Chinese parents impose their will and dream upon their kids, such as admitted to a famous university or being good at a special talent like drawing or playing the piano. What is worse, even some parents compare their friends’ children with their own child. Chinese parents prepare everything for their children from what food should eat to what kind of clothes should wear and which schools should choose. Although a child’s family is not very rich, his parents will try their best to provide their kid with a well-off growing environment. What is worse, when children grow up, their parents has accustomed to making decisions for kids.
While in America, parents pay more attention to developing children’s independence consciously. They need to do the housework and look after themselves. They have to make their living room tidy. On the other hand, their pocket money is limited, if they want to buy some things they like, they have to try their best to earn money. In America, many children like doing sports such as football, softball, roller skate and other sports. Their parents encourage them to do what they like. They want to cultivate children’s confidence, courage and the spirit of adventure and it can also train them to be brave and strong.