Changes In Chinese Families

With the development of China’s economy and society, profound changes in family and family-related issues have occurred over the last century, especially after the reform and opening-up policy in 1978. People’s living standard has improved dramatically and the family size is becoming small because of the one-child policy which started in the 1980s. In order to investigate changes in Chinese family, I interviewed my parents and one of my grandparent’s colleagues. In this narrative, I will describe what family life and livings were like for four generations and then compare and contrast their family life.
My grandparent’ family life and living
My grandparents passed away when I was a child and I interviewed one of my grandfather’s colleagues through the phone to understand my grandparents’ life. I knew the …show more content…
My father grew up in a duel income family. His father worked as a clerk in a state-owned enterprise and his mother was a labor worker in the fish market. His father suffering from a chronic disease and was confined to bed when my father was about sixteen. His mother had to do several jobs to make ends meet. The living standard improved a lot and few people were starved at that time. His parents no longer planted crops and vegetables by themselves. They bought vegetables, food, and other articles of daily use in the market. My father’s childhood life was difficult. He had to do most of the housework because he was the first child of the family and his parents were busy during the day. This experience made him independent and tough at an early age. Chinese New Year was his favorite festival because he could eat better and get new clothes. On that day, his family, his uncles, and his cousins went to his grandfather’s home to celebrate. He also made a kowtow to his father and grandfather. When he became adults, he went to his father’s home to celebrate the festival. They also paid New Year’s visit to other