Parental Influence on Children's Talent Development: A Case Study with Three Chinese American Families

Abstract

This paper explores the influence of parenting beliefs and practices on children's talent development through a specific perspective of several Chinese American families with gifted children. In-depth interviews were employed to collect data from the parents, and research questions focused on the daily practice of parenting and parents' beliefs concerning how to nurture high achievement among children. Findings of this study include evidence of a sense of responsibility for parenting, a high level of confidence over their children's future, and a mixed strategy of parenting that combines traditional Chinese parental expectations with an adopted Western notion of respect for a child's own decision making.