What do you think?
Rate this book
SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture
Confucianism and the Family
The family is central to societies that have been profoundly influenced by the Confucian, and later Neo-Confucian, mandate. This book examines the nature of family continuities and the internal family social and psychological dynamics in societies that comprise the Confucian core of Asia, namely China (including Taiwan), Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore. Confucian ideas are discussed from diverse religion, philosophy, and history; anthropology and sociology; psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychiatry. Both abiding psychological and social similarities as well as cultural differences are addressed. The volume provides insights on both the positive social cohesiveness found within Asian families and on the possible tensions and even psychopathological responses that may be engendered within a contemporary Confucian family. In addition, the work explores the common Confucian family-cultural background that must be understood to interpret both the scholastic and entrepreneurial success of East Asians wherever they have settled in the Americas and the recent economic push in their homelands.
391 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 14, 2011
A collection of essays regarding the topics of Confucianism and the family, focusing on East Asia. De Vos's point that Confucianism continues today in Japan almost "unconsciously" was of particular interest to me. While there is great variation in the family structure in Japan, especially since the traditional family structure the "ie" was outlawed by the US post WWII, the religious ideology continuing on in today suggests a continuity between generations that in most places is argued as fractured and lost. With the total birth rate of Japan being seriously low, making population prospects with care for the elderly of dire concern, the reformation of the "traditional" family or its maintenance is important. Interesting read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review