Human Relationships

Family Relationships

• Understanding the importance of filial piety (孝顺) in Chinese society from a historical and contemporary perspective.
• Discussing gender roles in Chinese family and how they have evolved over time due to social and economic changes.
• Analysing the effects of the One Child Policy on family dynamics, sibling relationships and the demographic structure in China.
• Exploring the concept of the Four Generations Under One Roof (四世同堂), its roots in Confucian society and the changes in modern China.
• Examining the role of grandparents in raising children, especially in the context of China's ageing population.

Interpersonal Relationships

• Differentiating between Guanxi (关系) and Friendship, exploring the concept of face, reciprocity and hierarchy within these social networks.
• Discussing the cultural and social significance of Gift Giving in fostering interpersonal relationships.
• Analysing how social media and the Internet have transformed Chinese youth's approach to building and maintaining relationships.

Love and Marriage

• Understanding the cultural significance of traditional Chinese wedding customs and how they have been influenced by Western practices.
• Exploring Arranged Marriages and love marriages, their historical context and their associated social attitudes.
• Discussing the impact of the increased average marriage age and reduced marriage rates on Chinese society.
• Understanding the controversial topics related to love and marriage, such as divorce, same-sex marriage, and cohabitation before marriage.

Social Relationships and Hierarchies

• Evaluating the influence of Confucian principles like Hierarchical Order (等级秩序) and Mutual Respect (互相尊重) on Chinese society.
• Analysing the role of Respect for Elders (敬老) in social interactions.
• Discussing the changes and effects brought by gender equality movement on social hierarchies in China.
• Understanding the lassitude towards the rural-urban gap, and its effect on social stratification.

Remember, to excel in this topic make sure to incorporate your understanding of these aspects into your written and spoken Chinese usage.