Filial Piety

Filial piety is a Confucian notion originating in China that governs the parent–child relationship across the life span. It has been influential in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan and also in other Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Filial piety is also influential among immigrants from these regions and countries, who live all over the world. In essence, filial piety entails both parental authority and reciprocity in the parent–child relationship. It prescribes attitudes and behaviors for parents and children to have toward each other over the lifetime. Parents should assume authority and responsibility to socialize children into well-functioning members of the society. In return, children should defer to parental authority and take on responsibility to meet parental needs and fulfill parental ...