Abstract
In this chapter, Liong explores another paternal domain—education, which is regarded as a continuation of economic provision. Drawing upon the Confucian notion of literary masculinity, fathers uncompromisingly believe that they are the legitimate parent in imparting values to children. This is particularly prominent among middle-class fathers who consider themselves to possess rich social and cultural capital in the public sphere. Fathers consider education as a way of protecting their children and passing on desirable qualities, constructing their significant and irreplaceable leading position within the family. When their authority is challenged, fathers tend to blame their wives and children, with only a few of them reflecting upon the importance of the mother’s contribution in educating children.
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Notes
- 1.
Three-character Classic is a classic Chinese text created in the Song Dynasty by Wang Yinglin. The arrangement of three characters as a phrase facilitates easy learning and recitation by children. The contents of this text include Confucian morality and Chinese history. Although it is not taught in public schools nowadays in Hong Kong, some popular phrases, such as the quote above, are frequently cited and known to most Chinese.
- 2.
From Wang Zhu. 1998. Shen tong shi (Poems by a Gifted Child). Jinan: Qilu shushe.
- 3.
Gu, Yanwu. 2006. Ri zhi lu ji shi (Record of Daily Study with Collections of Notes). Shanghai: Shanghai gu ji chu ban she.
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Liong, M. (2017). Cultural Parent. In: Chinese Fatherhood, Gender and Family. Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-44186-7_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-44186-7_4
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