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当面教子,背后教妻

dāng miàn jiào zǐ, bèi hòu jiào qī
Correct your children in public, but correct your wife in private.

In front of the face, teach children; behind the back, teach wife.

Similar to the previous saying, this emphasizes that childre...

Similar to the previous saying, this emphasizes that children should be corrected openly to teach them proper behavior, while a wife should be guided privately to avoid public embarrassment. It highlights the different expectations for children and spouses.

This is a common variant of the same proverb, reflecting the patriarchal structure of traditional Chinese society where the husband holds authority but is also expected to protect his wife's dignity.

Someone might say this when a mother scolds her child in the park, but later gently talks to her husband about a household issue at home.

The saying reinforces the idea that discipline is a form of care, but its method must vary by relationship. It signals that public correction is for upbringing, while private correction is for partnership, preserving harmony in both.

#family #marriage #social-rules

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