Filial Piety and Academic Motivation: High-Achieving Students in an International School in South Korea

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18251/ijme.v18i3.1212

Keywords:

Self-determination theory, Confucian-heritage cultures, filial piety, motivation, South Korea

Abstract

This study uses self-determination theory to explore the mechanisms of filial piety in the academic motivation of eight high-achieving secondary school seniors at an international school in South Korea, resulting in several findings. First, the students attributed their parents’ values and expectations as a major source of the students’ understanding of filial piety responsibilities in their academic pursuit. Second, the participants found ways to justify the authoritative parenting they received through a reciprocal relationship, especially when their parents were autonomy-supportive. Third, the definitions of filial piety responsibilities varied, depending on the students’ personal and familial idiosyncrasies.

Author Biography

Jonathan Tam, University of Oxford

Jonathan Tam is a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of Oxford. His research looks at the transnational linkages and activities between diaspora communities and their countries of origin.

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Published

2016-10-28

How to Cite

Tam, J. (2016). Filial Piety and Academic Motivation: High-Achieving Students in an International School in South Korea. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 18(3), 58–74. https://doi.org/10.18251/ijme.v18i3.1212

Issue

Section

Articles (Peer-reviewed)