Chinese Women Essays (2317 words) - Chinese Women, Gender Studies

Chinese Women China, located in East Asia, is the third largest country by area and the largest country by population in the world. While China has one-fifth of the worlds total population, and it also has one of the earliest civilizations, dating back to some 5000 years ago. China is often distinguished for its technological advances and intelligence, but in the early 20th century, Chinese society was far from perfect. The women in China, lived a slow and difficult life, bound by tradition and obedience. Women had to bind their feet at birth or face adversity throughout their entire lives. Footbinding was a painful process that allowed women to be thought of as beautiful and a good future wife. However, their roles in society soon changed, with the invading Communism. Women soon received the same treatment and the respect Chinese men had because of Western ideas and influence. Chinese women suffered pain and heartache their entire lives. From the moment a woman was born, she was considered nothing, she was unimportant.1 Sons were all that mattered because the family name would live in them, while a daughter would be married off and take on the duties for their in-laws. A woman earned little respect from her family. For example, when a son born was born, the umbilical cord was saved in a jar. However, if a daughter was born, her umbilical cord was buried outside because she left and married off when coming to age and there was no need to save the umbilical cord of a guest.2 They were mostly uneducated and played out the role of a servant or slave. They did everything: they washed, knitted, and were required to serve our marital duties.3 In dealing with the challenges that women faced, one primary fact becomes apparent- a woman rarely had a free day without chores or problems. Unborn while inside the womb, a girl baby faced the possibility of being aborted because there was no time, or money, to care for her.4 Each day she lived she was forced to complete so many chores that she became tired out when the day was over. Along with basic necessities such as bathing and eating a women served their families, cooked all the meals, cleaned all by themselves, and then worked the humid fields.5 It was nearly impossible for women to leave the family and make something out of themselves because they had very little education. They were required to leave when the boys were studying or asked to copy some words out of a book, when the tutor was free.6 Although they were given some money for groceries and other supplies, women could not spend cash freely, without a mans permission.7 In addition, when their husbands brought home a concubine, a mistress or prostitute, there was no scene of jealously, unacceptance, or animosity. If these feelings were displayed, the women were shamed and this was a way for the male to request for a divorce.8 Death, a time for release and independence, was not such a time for women. There were two worlds. The Shadow World was female, with a negative essence, and all things motionless and deep. The Light World was male, with a positive essence, with all things strong and high. Women still endured agony while a man had nothing but happiness.9 Constrained by tradition and the family, a women complied to the rules of filial piety. They accepted that their lives and bodies were not their own, but gifts from their parents.10 Women were not loose or casual, but very closed and formal. Thus, women informed their parents where they were going, what they were doing, and needed permission on important life decisions.11 Simply, they were restricted in every way possible. If women were ignorant that was their virtue; they were more obedient to their in-laws.12 In childhood, the father was in control. They never entered the fathers vicinity unless asked and never left it without his consent. Girls spoke when they were spoken to, had to anticipate their fathers wishes, and when scolded, they thanked him for his corrections.13 Moreover, love was not a deciding factor, in marriage. The women were promised to other families by their parents or masters, and could not object.14 The in-laws and husband were in power after a women wed. Distant behavior and respect and love for the in-laws, were a must. The relationship with the in-laws was more important than the one with the husband.15 Motherhood was where the in-laws