The Clash of Family Values: The PLA's Grassroots Officer Couples

Abstract

This article explores the opposing perceptions of Chinese family values, confronted by the grassroots officer couples of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Individual freedom-centered family values, associated with reforms, emphasize the importance of private family life. Yet, the PLA continues to impose institutional control-centered family values, sustained by Confucian culture, on the grassroots officer couples to compel them to self-sacrifice for public life. The clash of family values has dysfunctionalized their families, eroded their morale, and undermined their career commitment. Without the properly refined family values, however, the grassroots officer couples will not meet PLA needs and expectations in the twenty-first century.