Yuchen Yang Humanities and Social Science
Class, Gender, and Parenting Patterns in Contemporary China
This study asks, do class and childrens gender shapes parents child-rearing patterns in contemporary China? Furthermore, how does different parenting styles affect the childrens psyche, such as confidence and sense of control? By statistically analyzing quantitative data from Chinese Family Panel Studies, I believe this research can contribute to the current sociological and China studies scholarships as it revisits Lareaus classic theory of concerted cultivation and accomplishments of natural growth and brings it beyond the US-centric sociology to China, where social inequality and class antagonism are becoming more and more visible. On the other hand, this study is concerned about the intersectionality between class and gender and therefore brings the issue of gendered parenting back into our picture. Following Berkeleys tradition of public sociology, this study attempts to generate not only theoretical implications about how class and gender norms are reproduced, but also empirical implications about how childrens well being might be enhanced through parenting.
Message To Sponsor
I really appreciate the support from the Wishek Foundation and my faculty sponsor, Professor Lie. Being selected for this award affirms my past research experience, course work, as well as my passion for sociology. This summer research opportunity not only allows me to expose myself to the sociology of childhood, a subfield that I'm extremely interested in but the department rarely offers, but also allows me to have a more vivid experience of academic life, and thus better prepares me for graduate school.