It is a well-known generalization that the family is especially central to Chinese society (though, of course, it is important in all societies). This state of affairs is often labeled "Confucian," and unlike many things to which the Confucian label is applied, this one is accurate. For Confucius, later Confucians, and most Chinese in general, the family was and is the basis of human society and individual personal development. In this section we will examine the key term xiao, often translated "filial piety." Here is an interesting item: #filial piety comics# (contemporary).

This page is part of www.east-asian-history.net. If you arrived here via a link from within the site, simply close this window or tab to return. If you arrived here via a web search or an external link, click the icon at left to go to the home page or click this link to go to the index page for the textbooks: www.east-asian-history.net/textbooks/.