Different contexts, similar mindsets? A comparative study of parental decision-making in private tutoring in Hong Kong and the Czech Republic

This paper presents a comparative study of parental decision-making in private tutoring in Hong Kong and the Czech Republic, using similar qualitative approaches. It is based on interviews with 145 parents, exploring the factors, criteria, and strategies influencing their choices. The findings reveal both convergences and divergences in parental approaches. Key influences include rational choices, emotions, and cognitive biases, with both groups exhibiting ‘bounded rationality’. Despite differences in geography, culture, and education, the study reveals unexpected similarities, particularly regarding child agency – parents’ involvement of children in decisions about tutoring. The paper critically examines explanations for these trends, emphasising factors beyond culture, such as social class, global parenting images, and social media. It advocates for further research into the global influences shaping parental decisions and how these evolve in a globalised context. The study contributes to the field of shadow education and comparative education, offering new methodological and conceptual insights.