A Comparative Study of Family Learning between Han Dynasty and Wei, Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties

Beginning from pre-Ch'in Dynasty and developing through Han Dynasty, family learning reached its peak during the period of Wei, Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties。The family learning at Wei, Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties differs greatly from that of Han Dynasty in many aspects: its form developed more and more complex; its learning mate- rials involved various classics instead of just one classic; the subject of education turned into a private form; and the main parts of family education became more and more complex so that the relationship between father and daughter began to play an increas- ingly important role. Although the main characters of family education change greatly in different dynasties, each period has its specific meaning. For example, the family learning of Han Dynasty is a necessary complement to school education, while the fam- ily learning of Wei, Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties is the most important educational form of Clans by undertaking the burden of passing down the academic thoughts and cultivating the next generations.