Filial Piety

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer relates that in many Asian cultures, loyalty plays an extremely important part in all areas of life. This is particularly true in professional and family life. As such, the writer explains that certain roles have been determined not only for the different professions, but also for the genders and their roles in family life. As part of the loyalty paradigm, filial piety is an East Asian tradition that has shown a tenacity above all others. The writer points out that this tradition focuses on the family, and particularly upon children and how they should treat their parents. The writer discusses that with the mixture of various cultures often resulting from globalization however, there has been a shift in focus from the importance of honoring and caring for parents towards a more Westernized, exploratory spirit among the East Asian youth. The writer then notes that the cultural evolution in these nations provides evidence of the changing values resulting from this change of viewpoint.

From the Paper:

"According to Kyu-taik Sung, for example, industrialization and urbanization have brought about a change in filial piety that is less based on constrictive rules than on affection and reciprocity. While honoring parents during their role in the young child's life and caring for them during old age are still seen as extremely important, this importance is now based upon a different set of values. Filial piety is no longer a value that is inherently a parental right, regardless of how children were treated. Instead, evolution has proved that reciprocal respect and affection are more effective as a basis of filial piety. It is also however important to note that the importance and form of the basic tradition has not change. Parents are acknowledged for their role in the young child's life by being cared for in their old age. In this way, children traditionally show their love and appreciation for the effort that the parents made during their lives. This is however a simplified and very general view. East Asian countries, like the rest of the world, are exposed to Westernized television and values. These values necessarily communicate themselves to impressionable youthful minds, and are subsequently often manifest in rebellious behavior that had previously been unheard of."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hui, Wei. Shanghai Baby. Simon & Schuster, 2001
• Jun-hee, Kim. "Dutifully Yours - Filial Piety in Korea". Invest Korea Journal. Nov-Dec. 2005. http://www2.gol.com/users/coynerhm/dutifully_yours_filial-piety.htm
• Sung, Kyu-taik. "Filial Piety: The Traditional Ideal of Parent Care in East Asia". Aging & Spirituality. Spring 1998. http://www.asaging.org/networks/forsa/a&s-101.html
• Wikipedia. "Filial Piety". Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_piety

More papers on Filial Piety:

• Essay # 48738 : "In the Name of Filial Piety"
• Analytical Essay # 8769 : "Filial Piety in Confucian Society"
• Comparison Essay # 6875 : "Filial Piety: The Ancient Tradition of Respect"

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