Chinese Fatherhood

This book, based on extensive original research including extensive fieldwork, presents a full discussion of Chinese fatherhood. It outlines the ideal of fatherhood both historically and in contemporary China, examines the changing levels of father involvement in child rearing, considers the shifts in the nature of father-child interactions, and assesses the impact fathers have on their children and families. It includes material on Chinese fathers in Taiwan, Hong Kong and in the Chinese diaspora, and explores a wide range of issues, including media representations of fathers, fathers' impact on their children's educational attainment, and changing styles of fatherhood where there is some shift from strict, emotionally distant disciplinarian to lenient, affectionately demonstrative parent. The book concludes with an examination of how Chinese fatherhood is likely to develop in the future.