Comparison Of Danish And Chinese Family’s Traditions

My final project was to write a story that compares the Danish and Chinese families. Yang Liu, a graphic designer, inspired my idea. She left Beijing for Berlin when she was 13 years old. After 13 years, she began an illustrated series to share her dual experiences between China and Germany. Yang Liu’s nonjudgmental series was originally created from 47 simple posters in blue and red. The series was first displayed at Germany’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was then published by Taschen in 2007, under the title East meets West. Liu stated that the project reflects her personal view of things. Liu said she was influenced by her childhood experiences of moving, which gave her the ability to compare situations and interact with others. “Many situations will be easier to understand when they are viewed in relation.” (Merelli 2015.)

The story will focus on the cultural differences between China, Denmark and China in parenting styles and family life. As someone who has lived in China 20 years, my knowledge of Chinese culture and the traditional Chinese family life is extensive. It was an exciting experience to see the American family life from a different perspective when I studied abroad in the U.S. Now, in Denmark. Therefore, I decided that I would write a story about a Danish boy and girl. They have been penfriends since they were ten years old. Through their conversations, I wanted to demonstrate a cultural difference between China & Denmark by showing their conversations over time. I attempted to compare the parenting and education situations in China and Denmark. Chinese parents put emphasis on control and supervision of their children. Danish families, however, encourage their children to explore the environment. They seek out safe places where the parents don’t mind letting the children explore the environment. Chinese parents need to learn to let their children take responsibility for their actions. You may feel the need or desire to’save’ them. Take a moment to breathe and then step back. When I was young, I was told by my parents that I wasn’t able to be independent. I remember my parents telling me that I wasn’t independent enough when I was young. L did not have a guaranteed college education. I interviewed L about her childhood and she said that her parents trusted her. I also learned that her parents knew who her friends were. I came to realize that they are in a very different parenting style. Chinese parents have more trust and independence in their children, while Danish parents emphasize family.