Posts tagged China

Women of China

The modern Asian woman is making tremendous strides in the area of equality with men. The experience of many women from China is characteristic of the changes that are occurring across much of East Asia in developing economic nations. When we consider the position that women held in traditional Chinese society and then compare this to the greater economic, educational, and social opportunities that women enjoy today, the evidence of radical change is overwhelming. The Asian woman from China has greater freedom and financial opportunity than ever before.

In ancient Chinese culture the role of the woman was mostly confined to the home. Young girls were often treated as a liability until they reached the age of being able to marry. At this time, they were then given to another family once an arrangement had been contracted between the parents. Women in ancient China had little (if any) input into the decision about “who” would be their husband. Consequently, they also had no control over what direction their life would take thereafter. In this culture women had no real power or control over their own destiny. They were expected to quietly submit to the unfair realities of life that had to be endured without complaint. This was the bitter role that ancient Chinese culture forced upon their women and young girls. (more…)