The familial and larger social relationships as viewed by Confucianism, are thought to naturally involve virtuous character and to be realistically applicable within society. Confucianism views all human relationships as naturally having different degrees of status and duties between individuals. This means for example, that in the case of a relationship between a father and son, the son's status in relation to his father is one of being a junior; this status means that the son owes duties towards his father that are unique to that relationship. These duties are thus different from duties that he has to fulfill towards his younger siblings, friends, and children, all of whom he holds a different type of status towards, which is that of being a senior. .

             The duties one has to fulfill as the junior of a relationship involve having strong reverence for elders and providing them with good services. As stated in the Analects of Confucius, "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and abroad, respectful to his elders" ("Analects", Ch. 1). Thus, juniors should practice the virtue of filial piety towards those possessing seniority over them. Providing support to elders without revering them, according to the Analects, is no different from the way animals support each other and thus does not constitute filial piety ("Analects, Ch. 2). .

             The duties of a senior within the relationship involve being benevolent towards juniors and always showing concern for their well-being. In order to gain the reverence and faithfulness of their subjects, seniors must "preside over them with gravity; then they will reverence him. Let him be final and kind to all; then they will be faithful to him. Let him advance the good and teach the incompetent; then they will eagerly seek to be virtuous" ("Analects", Ch. 2).

             Recognition of one's status and given duties within a relationship is naturally meant to lead to filial piety which, according to Confucianism, is the greatest virtue mankind can attain.