More than preferences: exploring Chinese middle-class parents' happiness promises in school choice

Parents' happiness orientation has garnered early attention in school choice studies but has not been cautiously examined. Drawing on Aristotle's framework of Eudaimonia and Hedonia, along with Ahmed's concept of the happiness promise, this study transcends a perspective of preference and examines how parents understand and pursue happiness in school choice. Based on interviews with 32 Shanghai middle-class parents, this study indicates five happiness objects: bachelor's degree, expertise, non-cognitive development, good physical and mental health, and hobby. These happiness objects shape parents' school choice preferences. In pursuing happiness objects, parents follow the philosophies of 'no sweet without sweat' and 'prioritize sweet with due consideration to sweat' and employ an authoritative approach when making choices. This study challenges the cultural stereotype that Chinese parents are solely academic-oriented and authoritarian in school choice. Instead, parents integrate happiness and academics and strive to balance children's future fulfilment and present enjoyment.