Does Filial Piety clash with Romantic Love?
Most societies in our world today are patrilineal. Across North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and East Asia, descent is traced down the male line. Sons inherit land and herds, build the lineage, perform of ancestral rites and provide for their parents. So anyone who wants to understand humanity needs to know about patriliny.
Patrilineal sons tend to be treated as particularly special. In North India, this is referred to as the ‘Raja Beta syndrome’. Loving mothers may dote on their sons, hand feed them orange segments, and bind together in unity. Parental ties may be further reinforced by religious injunctions.
A man’s loyalties are then divided. Some may prioritise their natal family, rather than their wife. In extremely patriarchal cultures (like South Eastern Turkey), this can perpetuate abuse. In more economically developed and culturally liberal societies (like China), women may just choose to opt out.
Filial piety thus clashes with romantic love, but with different consequences worldwide.
