Depicting Chinese parenting during the early years : a systematic review of the English language literature

Abstract

Chinese parenting has received considerable attention from researchers around the globe. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the scholarly literature on Chinese parenting to determine how it has been conceptualized in the English language literature. A search of relevant keywords in electronic databases and reference lists of publications was conducted, followed by a narrative synthesis of the findings. Results show that the existing literature focused on the following six interrelated topics/themes: (i) different aspects/components of Chinese parenting (beliefs, values, practices and goals); (ii) relationships among parenting components; (iii) comparisons between Chinese and non-Chinese parents; (iv) parenting and child outcomes; (v) parenting styles; and (vi) factors that influence Chinese parenting. In general, existing studies examined Chinese parenting through describing parenting values, beliefs, practices and styles, and investigating the interrelationships between goals, practices and child outcomes. Implications and limitations of the review are discussed.