Chinese patriarchy
Encyclopedia
Chinese patriarchy refers to the history and prevalence of male dominance
in Chinese society and culture.
Mencius
outlined the three subordinations. A woman was to be subordinate to her father
in youth, her husband in maturity, and her son in old age.
Another one of these famous quotes is that that is also related to the patriarchy found in Athens. "Men are free to roam outside, but the woman must stay inside." From this, we get the foot binding
that restricts the movement of Chinese women and physically forbids them from going outside the house.
A cliché of classical texts, which is repeated throughout the tradition, is the familiar notion that men govern the outer world, while women govern the home.
In the Han dynasty
, the female historian Ban Zhao
wrote the Lessons for Women
, advice on how women should behave. She outlines the four virtues women must abide by: proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, proper merit. The "three subordinations and the four virtues" is a common four-character phrase throughout the imperial period.
As for the historical development of Chinese patriarchy
, women's status was highest in the Tang dynasty
, when women played sports (polo) and were generally freer in fashion and conduct. Between the Tang and Song dynasties, a fad for little feet arose, and from the Song dynasty
onwards foot binding became more and more common for the elite. In the Ming dynasty, a tradition of virtuous widowhood developed. Widows, even if widowed at a young age, would be expected not to remarry. Their virtuous names might be displayed on the arch at the entrance of the village.
Confucian conceptions of "respect for the elders" has been focused on preserving the traditional role of the father as the primary leader and decision maker of the family. In the hierarchy of traditional Chinese cultural family life, the father and sons take prominence over the mother and daughters. Infanticide in China and the preference for boys can be seen as stemming from the boys having more social and economic worth over girls.
Features of patriarchy in 20th and 21st century China are a combination of contemporary problems found even in the West and traditional Chinese issues. Men hold most of the major positions of power within the country, in virtually all political, economic, bureaucratic and military spheres. There is also the issue of forced abortions in China, where the authorities have been accused of giving the women virtually no control over their bodies. Women face strong social pressure to get married
before the age of 30. However, foot binding has been eradicated and trafficking in women in China has greatly reduced. Women have much more economic power and in the cities, much of the traditional social stigma of the working woman has virtually disappeared.
That being said, by far the most prescient issue is the high rate of female infanticide in the country. Parents, given the choice of one child, usually prefer a boy, considering the above mentioned traditional value of the male over the female. This has led to mass sex-selective abortions of females in China. Currently, the gender ratio is remarkable. For every 100 females, there are 113 males. There are numerous social consequences to this, some of which may not be conducive to gender equality
. Historically, places with overwhelmingly skewed gender ratios tend to have more established patriarchy. It can be argued that Chinese patriarchy is still extremely well embedded in the 21st century, considering that it is deemed acceptable for parents to want to privilege a male over a female child, if given the choice.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which the role of the male as the primary authority figure is central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination...
in Chinese society and culture.
Mencius
Mencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
outlined the three subordinations. A woman was to be subordinate to her father
Father
A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
in youth, her husband in maturity, and her son in old age.
Another one of these famous quotes is that that is also related to the patriarchy found in Athens. "Men are free to roam outside, but the woman must stay inside." From this, we get the foot binding
Foot binding
Foot binding was the custom of binding the feet of young girls painfully tight to prevent further growth. The practice probably originated among court dancers in the early Song dynasty, but spread to upper class families and eventually became common among all classes. The tiny narrow feet were...
that restricts the movement of Chinese women and physically forbids them from going outside the house.
A cliché of classical texts, which is repeated throughout the tradition, is the familiar notion that men govern the outer world, while women govern the home.
In the Han dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
, the female historian Ban Zhao
Ban Zhao
Bān Zhāo , courtesy name Huiban , was the first known female Chinese historian. She completed her brother Ban Gu's work as he was imprisoned and executed in the year 92 BCE. because of his association with the family of Empress Dowager Dou. It was said her works could have filled eight volumes...
wrote the Lessons for Women
Lessons for Women
Lessons for Women , also translated as Admonitions for Women, is a work by the Han Dynasty female intellectual Ban Zhao.-Outline:Lessons for Women outlines the four virtues a woman must abide by, proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, and proper conduct. The book itself describes the...
, advice on how women should behave. She outlines the four virtues women must abide by: proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, proper merit. The "three subordinations and the four virtues" is a common four-character phrase throughout the imperial period.
As for the historical development of Chinese patriarchy
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which the role of the male as the primary authority figure is central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination...
, women's status was highest in the Tang dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, when women played sports (polo) and were generally freer in fashion and conduct. Between the Tang and Song dynasties, a fad for little feet arose, and from the Song dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
onwards foot binding became more and more common for the elite. In the Ming dynasty, a tradition of virtuous widowhood developed. Widows, even if widowed at a young age, would be expected not to remarry. Their virtuous names might be displayed on the arch at the entrance of the village.
Confucian conceptions of "respect for the elders" has been focused on preserving the traditional role of the father as the primary leader and decision maker of the family. In the hierarchy of traditional Chinese cultural family life, the father and sons take prominence over the mother and daughters. Infanticide in China and the preference for boys can be seen as stemming from the boys having more social and economic worth over girls.
Features of patriarchy in 20th and 21st century China are a combination of contemporary problems found even in the West and traditional Chinese issues. Men hold most of the major positions of power within the country, in virtually all political, economic, bureaucratic and military spheres. There is also the issue of forced abortions in China, where the authorities have been accused of giving the women virtually no control over their bodies. Women face strong social pressure to get married
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
before the age of 30. However, foot binding has been eradicated and trafficking in women in China has greatly reduced. Women have much more economic power and in the cities, much of the traditional social stigma of the working woman has virtually disappeared.
That being said, by far the most prescient issue is the high rate of female infanticide in the country. Parents, given the choice of one child, usually prefer a boy, considering the above mentioned traditional value of the male over the female. This has led to mass sex-selective abortions of females in China. Currently, the gender ratio is remarkable. For every 100 females, there are 113 males. There are numerous social consequences to this, some of which may not be conducive to gender equality
Gender equality
Gender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
. Historically, places with overwhelmingly skewed gender ratios tend to have more established patriarchy. It can be argued that Chinese patriarchy is still extremely well embedded in the 21st century, considering that it is deemed acceptable for parents to want to privilege a male over a female child, if given the choice.
See also
- Anti-feminism
- Domitius (disambiguation)
- Gender roleGender roleGender roles refer to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered to be socially appropriate for individuals of a specific sex in the context of a specific culture, which differ widely between cultures and over time...
- HomemakerHomemakerHomemaking is a mainly American term for the management of a home, otherwise known as housework, housekeeping or household management...
- Nature versus nurtureNature versus nurtureThe nature versus nurture debate concerns the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities versus personal experiences The nature versus nurture debate concerns the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities ("nature," i.e. nativism, or innatism) versus personal experiences...
- Sociology of fatherhood