LAWLzoR

How does the Confucian philosophy relate to the stereotypical Southern Family? The family that's tight-knit and relishes the family reunions and big family activities. I don't mean the stereotype that says they all do their cousins, and found their wife at the last family reunion. With that, let's dive right in!

Possibly the most famous thing Confucianism says is that people should obey their superior, and their superior should be kind or at least treat their inferior equally or with dignity. The relations of Confucianism are as follows:

Superior - Inferior
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Father - Son
Older Brother/Sibling - Younger Brother/Sibling
Husband - Wife
Older friend - Younger friend
Ruler - Subject

But how does this relate to the Southern Family Model? The Southern Family Model usually says that you should listen to your parents or grandparents when they give you pieces of wisdom or share stories as a sign of respect. We see that this matches up with Confucius. That is also to say that not only does the Southern Family Model does this, but plenty of families do this, but I chose the SFM because I believe that they really do model the Confucian philosophy.

The generations starting with the one that was famous with the 60s Vietnam protests are famous for their "rebellious" ways, and that they do things purposely to rebel against the previous generation, showing that they were "wrong" or "ignorant" in some way. Of course we don't think we are... but that's because we're that next generation that rebels against the old ways of doing things. More and more of us are using computers, email, and plenty of new ways to do things that tradition would dictate is "wrong" or "isn't worth it"

The SFM on the other hand strengthens the idea that the inferior (child) should listen to or be very respectful to the superior (parents/grandparents).

Confucianism also agrees with the social unit of family. The SFM also shows this, and the SFM has much pride of being part of that family. Having a long history in Georgia or Alabama as an important family or even just a family that has a long history. Another example of a SFM is the Apple Family in MLP: FiM. I know, this is very expected of me. However, several episodes show that they are an almost perfect model of the SFM. The episodes that highlight this will be listed after my explanation. The episodes are only to provide an example of a SFM if it hasn't been totally clear to you.

One last major thing that Confucianism says is right is tradition or traditional thinking. The belief that what people grew up on or have learned from previous generations is the right way to do it. Even if it's the longest or most burdensome way, it's the moral way and should be used. The SFM would agree with this especially with mail, or meeting up with friends, and all things that could be done "traditionally".

What does this all mean though? Does this mean that the SFM is the morally right way to be? Does it mean that SFMs read up on their Chinese philosophy before becoming a family unit? One is an answer to an opinion, and two is probably unlikely. I don't know of any family that reads up on philosophy before becoming a social unit. This possible coincidence probably just means that this type of traditional values aren't distinct to any one culture. Cultures all across the world can have this type of thinking, the traditional thinking that is. From China, to Asia, Europe, and indeed the USA all have this type of philosophy some where in their people.
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My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic episodes that highlight the SFM:
Family Appreciation Day
Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000
Apple Family Reunion
Pinkie Apple Pie