AP Chinese Unit 1: Dynamics of Families and Communities

jiātíng

Family in Chinese culture; the fundamental unit of society.

四世同堂 (sì shì tóng táng)

Four Generations Under One Roof; traditional ideal of family structure.

Patriarchy

A system where the father is the head of the household.

核心家庭 (héxīn jiātíng)

Nuclear family; a family structure consisting only of parents and children.

DINK Families

Double Income, No Kids; young professionals choosing not to have children.

4-2-1 Structure

A family structure resulting from the One-Child Policy, where four grandparents and two parents rely on one child.

男耕女织 (nán gēng nǚ zhī)

Men plow, women weave; traditional gender roles in domestic life.

Filial Piety (孝 xiào)

The respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and ancestors.

Classic of Filial Piety (孝经)

A Confucian text that codified the concept of filial piety.

Wang Zi Cheng Long (望子成龙)

An idiom meaning hoping the son becomes a dragon; the pressure on children to succeed academically.

Harmony (和 hé)

The value of avoiding direct confrontation and preferring mediation.

Face (面子 miànzi)

The collective reputation of a family; one member's actions affect the entire group's face.

Left-Behind Children (留守儿童)

Children left in villages with grandparents when parents migrate to cities for work.

小皇帝 (Little Emperors)

Single children who are the sole focus of their parents and grandparents.

重男轻女 (zhòng nán qīng nǚ)

Traditional attitude regarding men as superior to women.

Environmental Issues

Concerns about pollution that affect parents' perception of children's health.

Three-Child Policy

A recent policy change aimed at encouraging couples to have more children.

Grandparents' Role

In modern China, grandparents often become primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

Electric Scooters

Common mode of transport used by families for efficiency.

High-Speed Rail (Gaotie)

A transportation option crucial for family connections during the Spring Festival Travel Rush.

Aging Population (老龄化)

The demographic shift of an increasing elderly population in China.

Communicational Styles

High-context communication emphasizes indirectness, especially in family discussions.

Societal Trends

The connection of family life to broader societal changes.

Independence vs. Interdependence

Cultural differences between Western and Chinese views on family roles and responsibilities.

Electric Scooters

A favored transportation method for families in urban areas.

National Identity

Concept of framing China as a large family (大家庭).

Cultural Assimilation

The process by which minority groups adapt to the dominant culture.

Marriage Markets

Social gatherings where parents may pressure children to meet potential partners.

Intergenerational Tensions

Conflicts arising from different values across generations.

Educational Expectations

The pressure on Chinese children to achieve high academic success.

Nursing Homes

Modern facilities for elderly care, traditionally viewed as unfilial.

Income Disparity

Economic differences that affect family dynamics and expectations.

Social Challenges

Issues such as cost of living and environmental concerns impacting families.

Cultural Comparison

Juxtaposition of family structures and values in Chinese versus Western cultures.

族 (zú)

A term that denotes a family or clan in Chinese.

Cultural Literacy

Familiarity with and understanding of cultural references and history.

Youth Migration

The trend of young people leaving rural areas for urban opportunities.

Filial Responsibilities

Obligations of children to care for their elderly parents.

Reciprocal Love

The expectation that love and care are mutual between parents and children.

Traditional vs. Contemporary Roles

Contrast between historical gender roles and current shifts in family structures.

Deeply Rooted Values

Core principles such as respect for elders that remain despite changing structures.

Societal Stigmas

Negative perceptions attached to certain practices like elder care in nursing homes.

Economic Pressures

Financial burdens on families that influence their decisions about children.

Family Name Carrying

The cultural significance of lineage where only sons typically carry the family surname.

Teaching Methodologies

The educational approaches that might impact a child's view of success.