[ripples]

Does anyone know to what extent the concept of filial piety applies to adoptees re: birth parents and/or adopted parents? According to an essay I found on Essayexpress (maybe not the most scholarly source, but at least a convenient start for a newbie like me), apparently it is the defining feature in Chinese culture and is based on Confuscianism. I realize that this concept has been debated for centuries and was even central to the May 4th Movement protests in mainland China.

The reason that I ask is that learning about societal views on this concept can help explain some of the societal views about adoption, adoptees, etc; It could also shed light for international adoptees if/when they meet their birth parents and the added social pressures that they may encounter in the midst of this often rocky journey. Eg. The duty regarding the obligation to produce offspring helps explain why there's so much shame around adoption.

Here's an excerpt from the essay:

"Xiao, the Chinese word for filial piety is the defining feature in Chinese culture as filial piety was extolled as the highest virtue in China for centuries.Xiao in traditional Chinese societies fundamentally means gratitude to one's parents for giving one life and the duty and obligation to repay one's parents for having brought one up. It means love and uncompromising respect for one's parents and total obedience to one's parents. It also means honouring one's parents after their death. However, Xiao has many other connotations in the traditional Chinese culture. It pertains to servitude towards one's parents and the duty to continue the family lineage by producing offspring. It also refers to ancestor worship and respect for all who are more elderly than oneself, love for one's older siblings and good behaviour so as not to bring disgrace and shame to one's family."

According to my Chinese language textbook (we've just done the chapter that introduces the word for filial piety), "The concept of filial piety is still one of the most important virtues in Chinese society. Treating one's parents poorly is considered a sign of extreme moral depravity".

In all of this discussion about duty towards one's parents, who does Confuscius and all those scholars define as 'parents'? I look forward to hearing from other Asian adoptees, regardless of your level or moral depraivity ;-)