Current and Ethnicity Issues Represented in Child-Rearing Practices of Korean-Chinese Families in YanBian, China

중국 연변 조선족 유아 양육 실제에 나타난 시대성과 민족성 이슈

The current and ethnic issues represented in child-rearing practices of Korean-Chinese families in YanBian, China, were studied with the participation of 7 primary caregivers (4 mothers and 3 grandmothers) of young children who were interviewed and observed in their homes. Current issues were categorized as competitive bilingual ability, expectations about third language learning (English), expectations of high academic accomplishment and early education, and economic challenges in parenting. Ethnicity issues included ethnic pride as Korean-Chinese, conflicts of ethnic education, participation in local Korean culture, and rearing the child to have the self-expressive and assertive characteristics of typical Korean children. Results were discussed in terms of understanding and supporting child-rearing of minorities and families with multi-cultural background.