Abstract
Based on the occurrence of modernization and globalization in Chinese society over the last few decades, the content of 145 stories, published in the most popular Chinese children’s story magazine from the 1980s to the present, were examined for the representation of cultural values. The presence of Chinese, Western and social-moral values in stories were assessed using checklists. The ANOVAs analyses compared cultural values found in the fiction and folklore stories published in each of the three decades reviewed. The presence of Western cultural values steadily increased over the past 20 years. Some Chinese traditional values (e.g., self-control) were consistently reflected in stories across all decades, while a few traditional values occurred less frequently, and Western values were introduced. Fiction stories reflected more Western cultural values, but fewer Chinese traditional values than folklore stories. The findings suggest that Western culture has an impacted on Chinese children’s stories. However, the continuity of Chinese traditional culture appears to be as strong as ever within the Chinese children’s stories reviewed.
Résumé
Compte tenu de la modernisation et de la mondialisation qu’a connues la société chinoise au cours des dernières décennies, le contenu de 145 histoires, publiées des années 1980 jusqu’à maintenant dans les magazines d’histoires pour enfants les plus populaires de Chine, a été examiné sous l’angle de la représentation des valeurs culturelles. Des listes de contrôle ont permis d’évaluer la présence de valeurs sociales et morales chinoises et occidentales. Les valeurs culturelles trouvées dans les histoires de fiction et de folklore publiées à chacune des trois décennies observées ont été comparées au moyen d’analyses de variance (ANOVA). La présence de valeurs occidentales a augmenté constamment au cours des 20 dernières années. Certaines valeurs traditionnelles chinoises (par exemple, le contrôle de soi) apparaissent constamment alors que quelques autres se manifestent moins et que des valeurs occidentales sont introduites. Les histoires de fiction reflètent davantage de valeurs occidentales et moins de valeurs traditionnelles chinoises que les histoires folkloriques. Les résultats suggèrent que la culture occidentale a eu un impact sur les histoires chinoises pour enfants. Néanmoins, la continuité de la culture traditionnelle chinoise semble toujours aussi forte dans les histoires chinoises pour enfants analysées.
Resumen
Basado en las ocurrencias situaciones de modernización y globalización en la sociedad de China en las últimas décadas, el contenido de 145 historias, publicada en la revista de historia de los niños más popular en China desde los años ochenta hasta el presente, fueron examinados por en sus valores culturales. La presencia China, los valores Occidentales y la moral social en las historias fueron evaluados por una lista. Los análisis del ANOVA compararon los valores culturales encontrados en las historias de ficción y las historias folclóricas publicadas en cada una de las tres décadas revisadas. La presencia en de los valores culturales Occidentales aumentó constantemente durante los últimos 20 años. Los valores tradicionales Chinos fueron reflejados en historias en todas las décadas, mientras algunos valores tradicionales (por ejemplo, suprimiento emocional auto control) pudieron ocurrir menos mosytraron una menor presencia debido a la introducción de valores Occidentales. Las historias de la ficción reflejaron valores culturales más Occidentales, pero y menos valores tradicionales de la China, que las historias folclóricas tradicionales de la China. Las conclusiones sugieren que la cultura Occidental ha impactado las historias Chinas de los niños. Sin embargo, la continuidad de la cultura tradicional China parece estar tan fuerte como nunca siempre dentro de las historias folklóricas Chinas para niños, dentro de las que fueron revisadas.
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Appendix A: Checklist of Cultural Values
Appendix A: Checklist of Cultural Values
Story Name—
Chinese traditional values |
Harmony with nature |
Conformity |
Harmonious interpersonal relationships; conflict avoidance, restraint, self-control |
Consensus, assumption of the “middle” position |
Indirect, nonverbal expression of ideas, thoughts, and feelings |
Stoicism, suppression of emotions |
Tradition and continuity |
Respect for older persons (age/wisdom) |
Hierarchical positions and status; respect for authority |
Cyclical concept of time |
Collective orientation and group accomplishments |
Mutual consideration and self-depreciation |
Familism |
Interdependence |
Formality |
Educational achievement |
Strong work ethic |
Western values |
Mastery of nature |
Competition |
Assertion of one’s thoughts and feelings |
Dissensus acceptable (holding of a different position) |
Open, direct expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings |
Open display of emotions |
Change, innovation, progress |
Adulation of youth and youthfulness |
More egalitarianism in status and relationships |
Specific points, schedule, clocks |
Individual orientation and self-accomplishments |
Assertiveness and self-determination |
Individualism |
Independence |
Informality |
Flexible definition of achievement |
Moral values |
Nationalism |
Love for Chinese people |
Love for the new society |
Sharing and offering |
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Zhang, C., Morrison, J.W. Imparting Cultural Values to Chinese Children Through Literature. IJEC 42, 7–26 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-010-0001-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-010-0001-y