China has become renowned for its fast growth and rapid modernization. It comes as no surprise, then, that many cultural dynamics are changing as people adjust to shifting work environments, family structures, and living arrangements. Read on for some ways in which Chinese traditions are fading in modern society – and some aspects that just won't let go.

Photo: victorleejw – instagram.com

Staying

1) Grandparents as babysitters
Traditionally, younger children were raised by their grandparents on a day-to-day basis as their parents worked. This was often made convenient by the fact that multiple generations of family members lived together in one house or apartment (or at least very close by). It was a common sight to see grandparents picking their grandchildren up from school, cooking them dinner, or taking them to their various after school lessons. This tradition remains alive and well in modern times, and could arguably be seen as even more important nowadays. Parents often work in cities, away from their children, who reside in the countryside with their grandparents where the cost of living is much lower. Grandparents act as free caregivers, with the added bonus that the children are being taken care of by family members. This helps assure that the values and traditions of the family are continually passed on.

2) Dancing
One of my favorite things to do in the spring is stroll around my neighborhood and find the inevitable pack of ballroom dancers who utilize any space they can to indulge in their passion. Parks are by far the most popular, but don't be surprised to see them on sidewalks, apartment common grounds, or anywhere else with flat, open space. This tradition of group ballroom dancing has a fascinating history, filled with danger and intrigue. According to Ginger Huang at www.chinaculture.org, a ban on dancing in 1980 by the Public Security Department and Cultural Department effectively closed all privately owned ballrooms and forbade public dancing (the Chinese government has never been a big fan of crowds). But four years later, dancing was once again allowed, albeit closely monitored, and the dancing tradition remains strong to this day.

3) Postpartum confinement
New mothers often feel a sense of isolation as they discover that the reality of parenthood is not exactly the fairy tale everyone makes it out to be. So what better way to remind the mother that she's still a loved part of the community than by… shutting her up by herself in her apartment? Well, at least that's the idea behind the Chinese tradition of "zuo yue (坐月)."

Considered weak, the new mom must stay confined to her house for at least thirty days. All the windows must remain shut and no fans or air conditioners can be used (aka: don't give birth in the summer) to prevent any coldness or wind from entering the body. New mothers aren't allowed to shower, wash their hair, or get anywhere near water (also considered "cold"). They must also wear long sleeves and pants, socks, and slippers at all times – weather be damned! This tradition is still very much alive, as a friend of mine discovered when she got yelled at in public – multiple times – while walking with her one-month-old daughter outside. So many Chinese people scolded her about it that she finally came up with this gem of a retort: "Foreign women are stronger, we can go outside much sooner than Chinese women." And every single person she told that to found it to be a perfectly reasonable answer.

Going

1) Traditional trades
The fading out of traditional Chinese trades came to light for a lot of people a couple years ago when CNN reported on the last old-fashioned wok makers in Shanghai. They still heated and forged the metal by hand, still attached the hand carved wooden handle themselves. This was an anomaly in the age of China's rapid modernization and love of all things "factory". But wok making isn't the only traditional trade that's falling by the wayside – metal forging in general, sidewalk barbers (and dentists, which actually may be a good thing), rice puffing… All are quickly being viewed as antiquated traditions that have no place in the more efficient modern society. It's only a matter of time before these activities are heard about only through history books.

2) Multi-generational living
While using grandparents as babysitters is still a tradition that's very much alive, having those two, three, or four generations living in the same household is actually on the decline. According to China Daily, 62% of senior citizens surveyed in Guangdong Province are living on their own, although 40% still take care of their grandchildren on a daily basis. In fact, in an odd reversal of roles, the newspaper found that some senior citizens are actually giving their adult children money every month – despite the fact that they're living separately. The breakdown of the multi-generational household seems to be deteriorating most quickly in urban areas. Time will tell if this becomes a nationwide trend, or if it will continue to expand as cities spread their boundaries.

3) Chinese calligraphy
Chinese citizens take a lot of pride in their long, rich cultural history – especially when it comes to art and poetry. And nothing encompasses these two aspects better than traditional Chinese calligraphy. If you've ever seen a piece of proper calligraphy, the balance between artistic talent and literary prowess can be breathtaking. Alas, with the introduction of computers and the general move away from the liberal arts fields, Chinese calligraphy is on the rapid decline after almost 5,000 years of popularity. This may be one of those things that Chinese children see only in museums in the not-to-distant future.

Every culture experiences the popularization and decline of various traditions, customs, and ways of life – it's simply the natural evolution of a civilization. As you can see, China is no different. So enjoy your time here now, because who knows what kind of antiquated practices we're enjoying that will no longer be around in a few decades.
 

Related links
Foreigner Vs Chinese Tradition: Relationship Roles in a Chinese Family
What Should Foreigners Know When They Arrive in China?
Chinese Family Feuds: Tradition Eroding From Within

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Keywords: China traditions modernization changing norms role of the family