Gateway Chronicle 2022

principals of Mao Zedong Thought. The
ties of filial piety weakened due to greater
economic independence of younger people
and kinship ties became increasingly equal
as the trend of increased gender equality
continued, foot binding mostly confined to
the past.
However, the policy of opening up has
sparked a revival of Confucianism. In 2004
the first Confucius School was founded in
Beijing while the Confucius Institute
promoted Chinese culture internationally.
The government formally embraced
Confucianism in 2007, supporting the
worship of Confucius on his birthday and
broadcasting the event. The return of
Confucian inspired education and a
growing emphasis on the formation of a
‘Harmonious Society’ means the
philosophy now playing a central role
under Xi Jinping, who called it ‘the cultural
soil that nourishes the Chinese people’.
In this environment, the future of childhood
in China will be forged by conflicting forces
of Confucianism, communism and
increased economic liberalisation.
Although education is no longer the
privilege of a small elite, young ‘princelings’
– descendants of communist officials –
have access to greater opportunities due to
nepotism; although young girls no longer
face foot binding, the one child policy and
the preference for sons resulted in the
abandonment of young girls; and although
expectations of filial piety remain,
increased economic independence, family
planning and state support of the elderly
have meant that these practices declined.
The resolution of these tensions between
the traditionally hierarchical impulses of
Confucianism and the egalitarian impulses
of more modern ideologies will decide the
future of childhood in China.
56 | G ateway Chronicle