A Cross-cultural Comparative Analysis of Sino-American Family Conflicts Management

Abstract

Based on Culture Dimension Theory, the author explores the dynamic factors causing family conflicts by observing and analyzing the behaviors in the episodes of the sitcoms Modern Family and Home with Kids. This paper attempts to answer two basic research questions: How do Chinese and American people deal with family conflicts? Is there any similarity or difference in the family conflicts of the two cultures? The paper compares the Sino-American family conflicts in three aspects: the cultural value context and the cultural reason leading to the conflicts; the conflict management styles being resorted to by the two families; and the changes and new findings in the conflict management strategies of two families. Through the comparative analysis on family conflict from two cultural contexts, the author is not only going to address the similarities and differences in family conflicts and conflict management strategies in those two cultures, but to explore whether different behaviors are driven by different cultures and values or not. Furthermore, through this cross-cultural comparative analysis, it would be helpful to understand globalization and integration and to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts in intercultural communication.