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　　I guess the most obvious difference in Chinese and American families is the size of the family. Here, most couples have only one child. In America couples usually have 2 or 3 children. Of course, people realize that children are expensive, so the size of families isn't as large as it has been in the past.

　　Another difference is the relationship between parents and children. In America, it is expected that after you finish school, either high school or the university, you will move out. This means you will leave home and live on your own. American society teaches that each person must become independent and that can't be done as long as one continues to live with one's parents.

　　As for parents, they are very proud. They work hard to create their own financial security and they don't want to ask their children for anything. It would be embarrassing for a parent to have to depend on a child.

　　When parents get older, they do not want to live with their children. They want to maintain independence. If they can not take care of themselves, most people prefer to move into a retirement home.

　　In China, most young people expect that one day their parents will live with them and that they will take care of their parents. I respect the freedom children have in the US to live their own life, but I also respect the responsibility children feel here towards their parents. Both systems reflect the culture in which people live.