[Rook]

I agree..
My guess is the Mother is fresh Divorced *or Widow*, has a Job opportunity in her Field, in China {which is credible, considering how nowadays, despite China's politics, business savvy people tend to migrate there, including americans}, based on the fact she's a single parent & she tells Dre "We have nothing over there, this is Home".
In the original, it was kind of the same...
But, yeah, back story is preferable for me...
I dont like "assuming", thats not my job..My contribution is paying to enjoy the Film..

Currently Watching "Down in The Delta" {Alfre Woodard, Wesley Snipes}
Elderly Matriarch takes her grandkids and alcoholic/drug addicted Daughter back to the Family home in the Delta, as a last resort to save her daughter, and teach the grandkids Value of Family while learning about their Ancestral history...