The Influence Of Values: The Sociological Analysis Of The Choice Of Chinese Families To Study Abroad

At present,influenced by the trend of globalization,“overseas study” has gradually become a new form of education for Chinese students.A popular view suggests that studying abroad is the product of the development of the society and also an inclusive educational concept.The potential advantages and prospects cannot be measured in money,since students have the opportunity to study under a new environment which is different from that in their home country,and they can also embrace the diversity of culture with more opportunities to motivate their infinite potential.However,another negative attitude considers that the financial costs of studying abroad(eg.tuition fees,transportation and living expenses)and other inputs such as the time spending on the pre-study preparation will bring the huge burden to the family,which might even affect the original quality of life of a family;In addition,the educational outcome is lagging behind and uncertain,so it is likely that children who spend a huge sum of money to study abroad will get unsatisfactory educational results,which is not worth the input.These two views jointly influence every family who has considered "studying abroad".Therefore,no matter whether the family makes the decision of "studying abroad" or not,it is not from the impulse of the moment,but the product of careful consideration.It is the result of students and their parents' comprehensive consideration of various factors and possibilities.Focusing on the educational phenomenon of "studying abroad",this research focuses on the process of making decision and explores the rationality of the trend of "studying abroad" by exploring the influential factors behind different choices.In order to compare the research results,this study selected the semi-structured interview as the research method to understand the attitude,experience and emotion of the interviewees.This research chose families who have made the decision to study abroad,and the families having the idea of studying abroad but failed to implement it.Both parents and children families were involved into this research.Additionally,this study is based on the existing theory,which is different from the“rational choice” in economics.The “rational choice in sociology” will be regarded asthe research theoretical framework,which might considered both the economic cost and other factors,such as the social objectives of family members,the available capitals,the environment and situational factors,and the influence of culture,so that this research could contribute to the improvement of the existing theory on the basis of practice.The results show that both families who choose to study abroad and those who fail to do so are rational in their decision making process.Although there are differences and variability between the various family education idea and investment,and the family will be dominated by different objectives and rational types,but with the clear purposes,family members can adjust and even change their actions and choices to adapt to the changes of situations according to the actual environments and their own capitals in order to reach their "maximize satisfaction".