Are parents not integral to our family? Perceptions of young adults in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong

Chinese families, unlike the typical nuclear family structure in Western societies, traditionally follow a stem family structure prioritizing father – son relationship. However, with economic development and modernization, it remains uncertain whether the parent – adult child relationships within contemporary Chinese families continue to uphold traditional values prioritizing strong intergenerational bonds or are gradually shifting toward Western norms emphasizing marital relationships. Thus, this study examines the perspectives of Chinese young adults on the inclusion of parents in the family after marriage in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, two Chinese societies influenced by varying degrees of Western culture. Drawing on results from survey experiments, this research reveals an enduring intergenerational relationship within contemporary Chinese families and potential shifts in family perceptions among young individuals. This study suggests that the differences in how young people in the two Chinese societies view the inclusion of parents as family members are not solely linked to the varying degrees of Western cultural influence but also to institutional arrangements. This research expands the understanding of family identity beyond Western contexts and nuclear family structures, highlighting the importance of psychological identification of family members and evolving family cultures and social institutions in understanding intergenerational relationships.