Abstract: Nearly all past studies on educational inequality have examined the relationship between family and children’s educational achievement in western countries. Very few have examined this question in other social contexts, such as China. This article investigates differences in factors that influence children’s development between China and western countries. Capitalizing on recent national representative data, we extend previous studies by using more recent data and considering different measurements of educational outcomes. Our findings show that structural forces, such as hukou and residence, are more important than family and individual characteristics in China for influencing children’s educational outcomes; and that family non-monetary resources such as expectations and parenting practices are more important than family monetary resources such as income, for children’s educational achievement.

Key words: Education, children, inequality