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Confucianism role and status of women
Family and marriage in traditional China
The status of women in ancient China
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The roles and normalities of women in Chinese society have remained fluid for centuries, influenced by changing dynasties, colonizers, and the presence other cultures. Politically, particularly through Confucianism, rigid expectations of women began to develop. Strong emphasis on morals, traditional values, and respect shaped the developing gender roles of the era. As Confucianism spread, trends such as foot-binding emerged amongst the elite, and Europeans began to discredit Chinese morality using cultural differences as a means of claiming authority. The validity of European moral superiority is brought into question when contrasted with actual experiences of Chinese women Confucian state limited women’s participation in most public affairs, …show more content…
In her “Instructions for the Inner Quarter,” Empress Xu speaks of Chinese women with a positive, almost prideful stance, claiming that morality is “actually rooted in our very selves.” She places strong emphasis on moral character and cultivation of self, and portrays the traditional expectations of marriage and motherhood as something to aspire to. “An upright woman of pure character,” she writes, “can be made the wife of a great family.” The societal role of womanhood is presented with appreciation based on circumstance, rather than concern or condescension. Women are expected to be modest, dignified, gentle, and honest, amongst a litany of other qualities which Empress Xu believes are essential. She claims that “The moral nature being innate in our endowment, it becomes transformed and fulfilled through practice.” While Europeans found the Chinese to be “morally deficient,” Empress Xu boasted the strong morality that she believed existed in woman’s …show more content…
“Natural History of a Chinese Girl” can be more productively interpreted as a European’s documented culture shock rather than justified outrage over oppressed women. Regardless, the attitude towards the expected sex and gender normalcies is inherently
Some of the more fascinating documents of the Han period in ancient China were arguably those written by women. The writings were at once contradictory due to the fact that they appeared to destroy the common perceptions of women as uneducated and subservient creatures while simultaneously delivering messages through the texts that demonstrated a strict adherence to traditional values. Those are the paradoxical characteristics of prominent female scholar Ban Zhou’s work called Lesson for a Woman. Because modern opinions on the roles of women in society likely cloud the clear analysis of Zhou’s work, it is necessary to closely examine the Han’s societal norms and popular beliefs that contributed to establishing the author’s perspective and intent.
When one thinks about female traits or characteristics within the Asian culture you are likely to think of obedience and even docility. This can especially be true of Chinese women. Why is this? Where did this behavior and belief system originate? Many scholars and cultural behaviorists would argue that Ban Zhao and Confucius played a pivotal role in this behavioral construct. Confucian teachings are the foundation upon which much of Asian society and culture have been erected. Confucius’ teachings focused on the importance of family dynamics and the need for children to obey and serve their parental figures. Confucius also stressed the need to exercise restraint and to treat others as you would have them treat you. Ban Zhao was the
China was without a doubt one of the most innovative countries by reason of their many advances made throughout the Shang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Numerous accomplishments were archived by this empire. Their form of government was based on Dynasties, which are series of rulers from the same family. Different dynasties brought out different successes, such as the famous Great wall, which was a 13,170 miles fortress built around around 206 A.C. by millions of people. This structure was ordered to build by China’s first emperor, Qin, in the interest of protecting the Empire from invaders. Another extraordinary Chinese invention was paper. This universal utensil was created in the 2nd century B.C. by Cai Lun. The creating of this material
Much like to their parents and elders, Chinese girls were supposed to be quiet and obedient to their husbands and mothers-in-law. Girls were supposed to respect, and not openly question the decisions that were made in the household. These women were taught to always ask what the husband wants and to ignore their own wants and needs. Chinese wives were there mainly to provide the mother-in-law with grandsons.
The main characters in this story are a generation of mothers and their daughters. This story is told in sections as a narrative, where each chapter is recounted by a different woman. The mothers speak of their experiences growing up under the strict conditions in China. They told of how their marriages were predetermined and how they had to do as any male ordered. The daughters, on the other hand, being raised under American ways, told of their hardships with pressure given to them by their mothers. They spoke of American husbands, equality between both sexes, and how they’d rather believe that their futures could indeed be controlled.
Lessons for Women was written by Ban Zhao, the leading female Confucian scholar of classical China, in 100 C.E. It was written to apply Confucian principles to the moral instruction of women, and was particularly addressed to Ban Zhao’s own daughters. As her best remembered work, it allows the reader insight into the common role of a woman during this fascinating time-period. The work starts off by Ban Zhao unconvincingly berating herself, and claiming how she once lived with the constant fear of disgracing her family. This argument is rather implausible, for the reader already knows the credibility of Ban Zhao, and how important her role was in ancient China.
Sexual equality a concept that most of us we are longing for in the society nowadays. However, it is nothing more than a dream in the past Chinese lineage-dominated society. It is a society that famous for men are superior to women. According to Prof. Ma, men and women are treated differently in Chinese lineage-dominated society. For example, in family, workplace and politics aspect, men had absolute power and right on decision making whereas women are not entitled to or nearly forbidden to involve in the above aspect. Women even were considered as outsiders when the married as if they were only the machine of reproduction and housework. This indicated that female in Chinese lineage-dominated society were by no means treated fairly. Nonetheless, the situation has changed since several decades ago, women gained higher status in workplace as well as in the family. Female are not trapped by those feudal way of thinking anymore. This essay will argue that the gender role has been changed and tends to sexual equality and women have higher social status than before.
But one begins to detect a new theme emerging in society, especially amongst the Chinese reformers: the theme of individualism opposed to familialism. Today, would the Confucian family be more and more aware of abuse of women and children? Rituals and traditions can be seen as both positive and negative. The ways in which women suffered affirm that some rituals were abusive. There are multiple signs indeed that something has gone badly wrong with the Chinese family traditions that led to family instability.
In discussing the Chinese dynasty’s and during the Han Dynasty, Ban Baio, a famous Chinese historian, wrote “Lessons for a Woman,” (200-300 CE) outlining the position and duties of women in society. As time changed and civilization emerged, so did history as it began to bel less biblical and more focused on social change. McNeill notes that, “cultural borrowing,” was in fact a huge part of civilization. This document in particular can serve as an example in which Baio felt was a set of instructions for the proper behavior and attitude of women, particularly with regard to their
Examples of cultural constructions can be seen throughout history in several forms such as gender, relationships, and marriage. “Cultural construction of gender emphasizes that different cultures have distinctive ideas about males and females and use these ideas to define manhood/masculinity and womanhood/femininity.” (Humanity, 239) In many cultures gender roles are a great way to gain an understanding of just how different the construction of gender can be amongst individual cultures. The video The Women’s Kingdom provides an example of an uncommon gender role, which is seen in the Wujiao Village where the Mosuo women are the last matriarchy in the country and have been around for over one thousand years. Unlike other rural Chinese villages where many girls are degraded and abandoned at birth, Mosuo woman are proud and run the households where the men simply assist in what they need. The view of gender as a cultural construct ...
In The Analects, Confucius briefly describes women and their role within Chinese society. Although the information on women within The Analects is short, one can gain extensive knowledge about women and their placement in this society. Confucius and many Confucian believers held the belief that women were of low moral order and in order to be virtuous, they needed to follow this order. This essay will review Confucius’ thoughts on women and raise questions about his views as seen in The Analects and other readings. First, one must realize that China has strong patriarchal views, so many statements by Confucius about women, or lack thereof, is a tradition that has existed before Confucius.
Philip J. Ivanhoe. Confucian moral self cultivation. New York : P. Lang, vol. 3, 1993.
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. The relationship among the three has been marked by both competition and complementation in history, with Confucianism playing a more dominant role. Confucianism emphasized a reiteration of current moral values and Taoism developed a system of based upon a harmonization of man with the natural order. These two popular philosophies, however, developed into popular religions eventually. Besides the major religions, ancestor worship and animism also have strong support in China. Chinese people are very pragmatic, worshipping gods that might answer their prayers.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” (qtd. in "Quotes by Confucius"). Confucius was an exceptionally prominent character around 551 BCE until his death in 479 BCE, although records are unclear. He was greatly influential back in that time, and still remains so to this day; especially in Eastern countries such as China. Through his teachings and ideologies, he founded the Ru School of Chinese Thought, which today has been given the name of Confucianism. Confucius impacted political and sociological standpoints; much of which still helps to shape the Chinese thought.
Confucianism has had a major influence on Chinese social, political and economic life for more than 2000 years. Confucius was the most innovative and respected philosopher in Chinese history. His ideas have been the strongest influence on China and its society. Confucius taught the value of practical ethics and social morality in order to obtain his decadent view of society. He presented the idea of perfecting the human personality by incorporating the five virtues of Jen, Li, Hsiao Ti, Chung-Su and I (Smith 1973, p 66) until the ideal of a perfect man and true gentleman is reached. Confucianism changed everything about China including the way the government ran the country and how young people were being educated. This essay will examine Confucianism as a philosophy, rather than a religion, and how it acted as a moral guide to a way of living in Chinese society in order to create cultural unification and social harmony.