Parenting Practices and Gender Roles in the Modern Chinese Family: Interculturalism in Where Are We Going, Dad?

Abstract

This article employs textual analysis to identify intercultural tensions in terms of parenting practices and gender roles in the reality TV series Where Are We Going, Dad? (2013–present, season 3). This article particularly explores authoritarian and authoritative parenting practices, parenting practices in interracial marriages, and new fatherhood and gender roles in modern Chinese families. I argue that the series is an ideal cultural site to witness the discourse of the changing parenting practices and gender roles in contemporary China and the broadcasting of it helps Chinese audiences understand both the merits and the weaknesses of traditional parenting practices as well as the importance of the father’s role in child-rearing and family construction.