Changing values in adult education and the family : an analytical study of cultural development in the People's Republic of China

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of value change in individual Chinese and how these changes related to societal transitions in China under the Communist Regime. The three research questions of the study were: (1) What were the changes in behavior or perception of the Chinese concerning their family life and their orientation toward adult education? (2) Why were there changes in the Chinese value system? (3) How did value changes occur? Grounded theory field research was the basic methodology employed in the study. Field study was conducted in Hong Kong and on the mainland in 1981-82. Data were also collected from relevant documents of the PRC. Two instruments were used to conduct informal interviews with 84 individuals from 14 provinces and 29 localities of China. In data analysis, major conceptual categories were described by incidents observed or remarks made by respondents. Findings were reported in a graphic essay format. Major changes in urban families included the bearing of less children, abandonment of ancestor worship, and greater influence of wives on family decisions. Traditions regarding the practice of nepotism and preference for a son remained. In rural China, patriarchy, ancestor worship, and lavish wedding arrangements were still widely observed. In adult education, current goals related more to family prosperity and personal well-being than to national growth. Most Chinese indicated interest in technical skills and English proficiency. Relevant content, effective program implementation and positive consequences of learning accounted the most for the success of adult programs. Major forces effecting changes included the meeting of personal needs and key environmental demands. Various experiences explained different patterns of value change. Education, inspiration, reward and coercion were the main strategies used by the Chinese Communists to effect value transformation. An individual's assessment of need fulfillment within the environmental constraints and benefits derived from new practices were the basic criteria governing his decisions on change.