Parental Guan and Family Language Practices in Ireland

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: This study investigated guan, a Confucian-based Chinese parenting concept, and its relationship with parental involvement in heritage language development among Chinese immigrant families in Ireland. The two main research questions examined how parents perceive guan and how guan is linked to parental involvement. Methodology: Drawing on Spolsky’s family language policy framework of ideology, management, and practice, the study examined how parental interpretations and practices of guan relate to heritage language management within the home. Data were collected through an online survey of Chinese parents in Ireland ( N = 92). Data and Analysis: Survey data from 92 Chinese parents were analysed using SPSS 29.0. Analyses included descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlations, and one-way analysis of variance. Findings: Findings identified two related dimensions of guan: Nurturing Guan was characterised by care, guidance and parental responsibility. Academic Guan was characterised by academic monitoring and high expectations. Both dimensions were positively associated with Parental Input, with the association somewhat stronger for Nurturing Guan (r = .400) than for Academic Guan (r = .318). Open-ended responses further emphasised parental responsibility and encouragement in heritage language learning. Originality: The study’s original contribution lies in the identification of two distinct components of guan. The first component, Nurturing Guan, is characterised by emotional support in which parents train, guide, and love their children. The second component, Academic Guan, is marked by parental monitoring and high academic expectations. Implications: The study contributes to research in family language policy by showing how a culture-based parenting concept can inform parental involvement in heritage language management and by highlighting intersections between parenting, migration, and family language practices. Limitations: The sample size is relatively small ( N = 92), and the reliance on self-reported data introduces the potential for social desirability bias.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. International Journal of Bilingualism, 2026 · DOI ↗