Chinese Filial Piety essays

Chinese Filial Piety essays After observing the concepts regarding filial piety and Chinese civilization, it becomes apparent that it greatly impacted the lives of men, women and children. Many aspects of this can be seen through some of the greatest ruling Chinese dynasties. The views expressed affected the decisions made by many people in their everyday lives. While analyzing filial piety one must take into consideration that respect, which children owe to their parents is a major concept within the Chinese culture. Coupling this is the idea that wives were and are obligated to show a certain respect to husbands. When such righteousness is obtained at home, its should carry over into everyday life. This type of mindset should reflect your choices made on a day to day basis. According to Chinese tradition filial piety was the primary duty of all Chinese, in particular family members. The parents were expected to be honored and respected by their children. The most important duty was assigned to the filial son. Essentially his main job was to ensure that his family line would continue. It was also believed that children were to serve and nourish their parents when they were alive, and sacrifice to them when they died. Children were obligated to lead a good moral life and be a credit to their parents. Also they were never to dishonor or disgrace them. This concept involved the sons complete obedience to his parents. Taking care of your parents during their lifetime as they grew old was arguably the most important responsibility to be fulfilled by the son. Concerning the parents, dying without a son was one of the worst offenses that could be committed. A sons status in a Chinese family was considerably much higher than that of the wifes. This idealis tic patriarchal society degraded women and left men as the dominant role in Chinese culture. As for the women who in effect became part of the husbands fa ...