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Confucian Beliefs And Its Impact On Life With Different Values And Beliefs Essay

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Different cultures have different outlooks on life with different values and beliefs that sustain their daily lives. Chinese culture, like any other culture, has its own such beliefs, accepted behaviour and specific day to day living that is dictated by the imposed societal and cultural norms(1). Confucian teachings and principles are the foundations on which Chinese’s value system is based on they specifically imply the highest respect be given to elderly(2). The age-related archetype of a caregiver was used for a child brought up under the influence of the Confucian teachings of filial piety and for whom selfless generosity and caretaking are the primary motivating factors for his behaviour(3). On the other hand, archetypes of Perfect Grandparent and Severely Impaired were used to describe older Chinese generation(5). These archetypes summarized the role of the elderly in context of the cultural norms(5). Filial piety, xiao in Chinese language, was derived from structured relationships of traditional Confucian beliefs and the notion of ‘intergenerational continuity’ used to describe the hierarchy of these relationships where elderly and the younger offspring were set to play their specific roles(4)(7). As in Chinese culture aging is attributed to wisdom and experience, the younger generation also has their own role to play in the society. They have an obligation towards their parents and grandparents in all aspects of daily living whether it be providing financial support,

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