THE THEME OF GIVING BACK TO PARENTS IN CHINESE AND AMERICAN SONGS

Based on the assumption that there is greater reciprocity of relations hips (i.e., mutuality of give and take) in China than there is in the United States, the authors predicted cultural differences in the incid ence of songs in which adult children express a desire to give back to parents. More songs expressing giving back to mothers than giving bac k to fathers was also predicted. Popular songs in both cultures were r ated for themes of positive or negative giving back to parents. Almost all of the Chinese songs expressed positive giving back, and the majo rity of U.S. songs expressed negative giving back. More songs about mo thers than about fathers were found only for the Chinese songs. Americ an songs' focus on fathers, about whom there are negative feelings, ma y reflect the U.S. disposition to negative giving back. Processes unde rlying giving back-involving modeling, caregiving practices, direct tu ition, and reciprocity-are discussed.