On China’s Social Security System and Traditional Chinese Culture

謝浙

Abstract： This paper explores the interrelation between Chinas social security system and traditional Chinese culture， pointing out the meaning of the study， and that Chinas social security system is a carrier and representation of traditional Chinese culture and traditional Chinese culture is influenced by the social security system. It reaches the conclusion that more attention should be paid to the interrelation of the two.

Key words： Chinas social security System； traditional Chinese culture；interrelation

1 Introduction

For many years， history has been witnessing the development of Chinas social security system， as well as that of traditional Chinese culture breeding glistening wisdom of the masters hundred schools. There is no denying that significant as they are， the interrelation of them never speaks for itself， which is， nevertheless to say， crucial in studying either. Therefore， stated herein is the interrelation neglected by numerous people.

2 The importance

Perhaps， there are， some people can surely agree， few matters that are so negligible， few matters in real life quite so impractical， as the study of the interrelation between Chinas social security system and traditional Chinese culture. However， so long as man can live， so long as society can exist， the importance should never be invisible to us. Not only does it serve as a mirror into society， but also， like other social sciences， it can provide certain thought-provoking ideas as keys to a better world. The study is a crystal-clear door， behind which is the elaborate house of society full of mysteries and messy items. Looking through it， we can see clearly what is like inside. Open it， and we can go inside and deal with the mess.

3 The interrelation

1.Chinas social security system： carrier and representation of traditional Chinese culture

Chinas social security system is a carrier of traditional Chinese culture， and traditional Chinese culture finds its representation in Chinas social security system.

On the one hand， Chinas social security system contains traditionally cultural elements. Traditional Chinese culture is ethic-oriented and collectivism-centered， and todays social security system of China carries those distinctive features. As is known to us， social insurance for the handicapped and the old remains a priority. Further speaking， new rural cooperative medical system， the health-care service being implemented in China nowadays， where everyone contributes a small amount of money，stays with the idea that benefit for all comes from all.

On the other hand， the development of Chinas social security system throughout history represents varieties of traditional culture during different period of time. In the pre-Qin period， when many disasters kept happening， with people-based thoughts dominance， various measures concerning social welfare were taken so as to maintain the stability of society. These were certainly a reflection of the prominent culture at that time. In the Republican period， influenced by western culture， legislation associated with social security system became a common practice， which demonstrated the characteristics of the culture over that period.

2. Traditional Chinese culture is influenced by the social security system in many aspects

In the first place， Chinas social security system has exerted a significant influence on the peoples fertility concept. Research shows， whether it is expected or not， that for some impoverished families， there exists a slight rise in fertility desire due to the extra income， whereas generally speaking， with worries about provision for aged years removed， people tend to write a new opening chapter about family size. That is to say，overall，peoples fertility concept differs a great deal from the traditional one.

Whats more， compared with the traditional job-choosing view，the recent one held by teenagers is a totally different story because of the continuous improvement of social security system. In the past， as there was no such a system conducive enough for them to reconsider their career choice， people are more likely to pursue jobs of higher salary. Currently， social welfare gains more popularity and more often than not， people accordingly take “ five one insurance fund” into account when choosing their job， which manifests a sharp change.

Last， unfortunately， it seems that dependence on social welfare grows as social security system develops. This has been showcased in several social studies， all of which imply social welfare has an adverse effect on incentives. Quite a few people turn out to over-rely on social security system rather than toil hard， thinking that even if they dont work， they can still get paid.

4 Conclusion

What traditional Chinese culture to Chinas social security system is what soil to tree. The interrelation between the two is so vital that we are supposed to attach more importance to it.

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