Distinguish East from

West

Family & Children

Family is the basic foundation of Taiwan Society!!!

Get Dependant Early or Not!!!

Who Gets Dependant Early?

Westerners or Taiwanese?• Young adults at the age of over 20 still live with

their parents. ( W or T?)• Children at the age of 18 will move out of their

family and live outside. ( W or T?)• Teenagers work part-time job to pay their school

tuition, apartment rent, and car loan. ( W or T?)• Parents will help their young children pay their

education, apartment, and scooter. ( W or T?)

Parent-Child Relationship

The relationship between parents and children in Taiwan is very strong and it lasts for a person’s whole life.

In many western countries, before children get 18, the relationship will be as strong as in Taiwan. Parents raise their kids with patience and love.

But when their kids get over 18, parents will give them more opportunities to learn to be independent- live and work outside. Then, the relationship won’t be as close as one in Taiwan. It seems like best friends to each other.

When parents get too old to take care of themselves, they will go to retirement homes. And their children will visit them instead of taking care of them.

In Taiwan, it is very usual to meet people in their late 20s still living with their parents at home even they are married. It’s very weird to some westerners.

To pay back what parents did for the children, children will show filial obedience and devotion to their parents. Besides, take care of them if they need.

Paternal Society

In Taiwan, a woman’s connection with her family will be much less close since she is married. Because her ties to her family are partially transferred into her husband’s family. She has to be a good wife and daughter in law according to the tradition.