Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-1

1.3 Organization of the Paper-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-2

2.1 The Concept of Family Culture-2

2.2 Previous Study on Differences of Family Culture between China and America-3

2.3 Conclusion-4

Chapter Three Comparisons of Family Culture between China and America-5

3.1 Introduction to the Movie Pushing Hands-5

3.2 Comparisons of Family Values between China and America-5

3.2.1 Family Standard vs Individual Standard-5

3.2.2 Family Structure-6

3.3 Comparisons of Family Lifestyle between China and America-6

3.3.1 Differences in Living Habits-6

3.3.2 Differences in Diet-6

3.4 Comparisons of Family Ethics between China and America-7

3.4.1 Chinese Type of Family Ethics-7

3.4.2 American Type of Family Ethics-7

3.4.3 The Difference of Family Ethics in the Film-8

Chapter Four Causes of Family Cultural Differences-9

4.1 Different Historical Culture-9

4.2 Different Value Orientation-10

Chapter Five Conclusion-11

References-12

Abstract

As the globalization proceeds, interaction between people of different nations and countries is getting closer. This means that cultural conflicts will inevitably encounter groups from different cultural backgrounds during the intercultural communication. The family, as the basic social groups of human life, can also not transcend different cultural backgrounds. The movie Pushing Hands is one of Ang Lee's three movies which reflect family issues and cultural conflicts. It reveals the problems caused by cultural conflicts by borrowing the collision of Chinese traditional culture in a new generation of young people who has acquired western heritage and lifestyle.

Based on previous researches, this thesis takes the movie Pushing Hands as an example, to analyze the differences between Chinese and American family culture and the reasons for these differences from the aspects of family values, lifestyle, ethics, etc, so that we gain a deeper understanding of the two different family cultures. It helps to promote cultural exchange and the adaptation of western culture.

Key words:  family cultures  differences  comparison