Parental beliefs and family functioning in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong

Abstract

The relationships between parental beliefs (i.e., Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity, attribution of children ' s success and failure to effort, and expectations of children ' s future) and family functioning were examined in 550 Chinese parents experiencing economic disadvantage. Results showed that perceived Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity and parental expectations on children ' s future were positively related to family functioning in both fathers' and mothers' samples. In addition, paternal expectations of children ' s future emerged as the most important predictor of perceived family functioning. The findings underscored the important role of the fathers in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Perceived Paternal and Maternal Parenting Attributes among Chinese Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

“…Results showed that Chinese mothers’ parenting attributes were generally perceived to be more positive than those of fathers. Our results are in line with previous findings, suggesting that Chinese mothers take dominant parenting roles and are more caring, responsive, and supportive than fathers [ 10 , 87 , 88 ]. Despite the increasing emphasis on paternal involvement in Western countries, research has shown that mothers still play a significant role in day-to-day parenting in Chinese contexts.…”

The Influence of Parental Beliefs on the Development of Chinese Adolescents Experiencing Economic Disadvantage

“…In contrast, mothers shoulder the dual burdens on caring the children but at the same time monitoring and controlling their behaviors (J. T. Y. Leung & Shek, 2012;Shek, 2008b). While parental differences in parenting processes in the context of economic disadvantage are discussed (J. T. Y.…”

“…T. Y. Leung & Shek, 2012; Shek, 2008b). While parental differences in parenting processes in the context of economic disadvantage are discussed (J. T. Y. Leung & Shek, 2012), maternal parenting was postulated as a mediator in this study, as mothers exercise more control over their children.…”

“…On the other hand, increase in fathers’ absence of child support was also evident. In contrast, mothers shoulder the dual burdens on caring the children but at the same time monitoring and controlling their behaviors (J. T. Y. Leung & Shek, 2012; Shek, 2008b).…”

Parent–Adolescent Discrepancies in Perceived Parental Sacrifice and Adolescent Developmental Outcomes in Poor Chinese Families

“…Theoretically, according to the social role theory (Eagly, Wood, & Diekman, ), fathers take a more prominent role in feeding families, whereas mothers are mainly responsible for child caring and household management. This responsibility divide is more salient in Chinese culture, as reflected by the Chinese saying of nan zhu wai, nu zhu nei (“men work outside the family; women work inside the family”; Leung & Shek, ). Empirically, there is evidence that mother–adolescent discrepancies, rather than father–adolescent discrepancies, of perceptions of parental sacrifice negatively predict adolescents’ achievement motivation (Leung & Shek, ).…”