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Challenges And Opportunities In Parent-Teacher Relationships In Contemporary China, Yan Guo, Xueqin Wu, Xiaoli Liu

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

This study explores how market economy affects parent-teacher relationships in China. Guided by Bourdieu’s (1986) capital theory, we interviewed twenty-one teachers and twenty parents in China. The study reveals that the market economy has impacted changes in parent-teacher relationships in several aspects. First, modern technology such as the Internet and WeChat has facilitated communication between parents and teachers with fast pace and convenience. Moreover, the study makes an original contribution to the field by challenging stereotyping assumptions towards Chinese parents who are either completely not involved or partially involved in their child’s education at home. The study shows that contemporary …