Abstract

Children spend most of their time at home, accompanied by their families, so a good family education, which can never be surpassed by school or other education in its influences on children’s psychological quality and behavior, is significant to them. In the background of frequent communications between Chinese and Western cultures, it is becoming increasingly possible for the two styles of family education to learn from each other. The present study firstly presents the differences between Chinese family education methods and American family education methods shown in the popular TV drama desperate housewives produced by American Broadcasting Company. Secondly, it explores the causes of such differences from the aspects of traditional culture, family values and social environment. Lastly, it provides some suggestions for Chinese family education. The study has a great value in improving Chinese family education methods, strengthening the quality of education for Chinese children and facilitating the social development in China.

Key words: Desperate Housewives; family education; China and America; differences

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Literature review-2

3 The differences between Chinese and American family education displayed in Desperate Housewives-3

3.1 Differences in the roles of parents-3

3.2 Differences in the emphasis of family education-5

3.3 Differences in the assessment towards children-6

4 The causes of the differences between Chinese and American family education-7

4.1 The cause in traditional culture-8

4.2 The cause in family values-8

4.3 The cause in social living environment-9

5 Suggestions for improving Chinese family education-10

5.1 Treating children equally as an independent individual-10

5.2 Emphasizing the improvement of children’s overall quality-10

5.3 Changing the methods of assessment-11

6 Conclusion-12

References-13