Child Education in Ancient China: Gentlemen and Scholars

“Tragic family of origin”, a term taken from family counseling, has become a hashtag in recent years after stories of conflict between parents and children, either real or depicted in TV and film, shocked the public. Some blame traditional views on education, which prioritize academic success and give rigid authority to teachers and parents. This criticism, however, is possibly a misinterpretation of Chinese traditional ideas about education, either in terms of schooling or family education.