Global Networks· 2026Q1
Educational Strategies and the Quest for Chinese Legal, Social and Cultural Citizenship Among Chinese–Japanese Families in Shanghai
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Sino-Japanese families in Shanghai are prioritizing Chinese legal, social, and cultural citizenship for their children, enrolling them in local schools and fostering deep Chinese linguistic and cultural proficiency, contrary to assumptions that Japanese citizenship offers greater transnational benefits.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Sino-Japanese families in Shanghai prioritize Chinese legal, social, and cultural citizenship for their children.
- Children are enrolled in local Chinese schools and develop strong Chinese linguistic and cultural skills.
- Parents view Chinese citizenship as more beneficial for educational and career trajectories than Japanese citizenship.
- This strategy aims to manage geopolitical and economic uncertainty by anchoring children in China.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study documents an emerging Sinocentric educational strategy among Chinese–Japanese intermarried families in Shanghai. Based on fieldwork and interviews with five families, it examines how parents decide on nationality, schooling and cultural socialization for their children. Contrary to the prevailing assumption that Japanese social, cultural and legal citizenship confers greater transnational competencies and flexibility, these families intentionally secure their children's Chinese legal status, enrol them in local Chinese schools and cultivate deep Chinese linguistic and cultural proficiency. Parents view these choices, not Japanese citizenship or schooling, as more effective means of broadening educational and career trajectories and preserving flexible, future‐oriented opportunities. These practices reflect a deliberate strategy to manage geopolitical and economic uncertainty by anchoring children's experiences in China and treating Chinese legal, social and cultural citizenship as key resources for transnational competence and adaptability. In doing so, this study challenges the notion that flexible citizenship is primarily achieved through affiliation with developed countries such as Japan or Western countries.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Global Networks, 2026 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Cultural Studies
Cultural StudiesSocial Sciences