Envisioning Forward, Parenting Now: How Chinese Mothers’ Perceptions of Adolescents’ Possible Selves Motivate Their Current Parenting Practices

Visions of future possible selves are powerful motivators of human behavior. In adolescence, a pivotal period for identity formation, how parents envision and interpret their children’s futures, and how these visions are expressed and enacted in daily life, constitute a critical yet understudied aspect of adolescent development. We examined these issues through in-depth interviews with 24 urban Chinese mothers of high school–aged adolescents. Thematic analysis revealed that mothers held multifaceted perceptions of their adolescents’ possible selves, encompassing aspirations for holistic long-term development alongside a short-term priority of academic achievement. Although mothers frequently emphasized the importance of autonomy support, they also stressed the need for parental guidance. Perceiving academic success as a key stepping stone toward ideal future possibilities, mothers expressed strong motivation and described their current parenting efforts as focusing on helping with preparation for the college entrance examination, while conversations about career development were limited. Findings are discussed in relation to major motivational theories (e.g., Identity-Based Motivation, Self-Determination Theory) and youth developmental frameworks (e.g., Positive Youth Development, Possibility Development), as well as the interplay between evolving societal expectations and enduring cultural values.