A review of work–family research in Confucian Asia

• Main Authors: Cho, Eunae, Choi, Ye Eun
• Other Authors: Shockley, Kristen M.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2020
• Subjects: Social sciences::General; Work-family Interface; Systematic Review
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/142934
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The objective of this chapter is to review work-family research conducted in Confucian Asia. Confucianism is a school of philosophy that is based on the ideas of Confucius, an ancient Chinese social philosopher. Confucianism has had profound impact on the culture in East and Southeast Asian societies (Neville, 2000). As a code of conduct, Confucian values have shaped various aspects of individual and social lives of people in the region. In this chapter, Confucian Asia refers to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. We begin by highlighting some aspects of Confucianism that are deemed important for the work-family interface. First, Confucianism emphasizes five principal relationships that define the role and proper social position for each individual; fulfilling the responsibilities and duties for one’s position is important to achieve social hierarchy and maintain harmony (Confucius, 1983). Of relevance, the husband and wife are prescribed to have a separate function in a family such that the husband is primarily responsible for financial support whereas the wife is responsible for tending the home and children. Second, Confucianism views a family, rather than an individual, as the fundamental unit of society; family is an interdependent unit, in which members are highly involved with each other’s life. The centrality of family positions fulfilling family responsibility at the center of everyone's social and economic roles. As a means to financially support family, work is often viewed as more important than leisure and as instrumental to family welfare (Redding, 1990). Lastly, Confucianism values diligence, persistence, and loyalty (Chan, 1996). The work ethic imbued with Confucianism is manifested in expectations for long work hours (Kang & Matusik, 2014) and performance evaluation practice that emphasize face-time (Won, 2005).