Woman in Chinese Culture
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The Chinese history has portrayed women as subservient in society. The Chinese culture treated woman as an unimportant part in the society. The Chinese believes that it is profitable to raise geese than to raise daughters. The statement clearly highlights the place of woman in Chinese culture.
Women in ancient Chinese culture lived their lives according to the rules of Confucius. They were not treated equally with men and educations were strictly prohibited. They remained confined within the four walls of the house and engaged themselves with daily house works.
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Women in ancient China served their husband like slaves. They are not allowed to raise their voice against anything and are expected to follow everything.
A woman in ancient China was not given a proper name. She was called as "daughter no 1", "daughter no 2" and so on. She is expected to listen to her father and other male members of the family. Women were differentiated with men in all walks of life. In marriage ceremonies, they were blinded to the whole process of marriage until they reach the wedding beds. Men were permitted to have more than a wife but women were not permitted to do so. Capital punishment was given if a woman marries for a second time. A woman was highly honored if she commits suicide after the death of her husband. They were treated as objects to bear sons. They do not have their identity and status in the society.
The woman led a hard life during the ancient period. They were humiliated and tortured by man. The women in the noble class ruled in place of their son. Their role was confined in the house. They were trained to run a household, cooking and rearing a child. The eldest members of the household arrange the marriages. They are not allowed to pass their surname to their children. Women in the higher class ruled in place of their sons. They governed the lands and made decisions from behind the scenes. They were given positions with formal titles like empress.
In traditional Chinese culture, women were considered as an inferior being. Female infanticide, slavery, concumbinage, foot binding and slavery were the common practices during the period.They are looked upon as less important than farm animals. Even the great philosopher Confucius, seldom wrote about woman. He expressed an attitude towards woman as inferior being in the society and grouped them as slaves or small humans. Their traditional role was to work in house and to look after the child. Woman can work as prostitute, weavers, marriage brokers, religious specialist, servant and silk grower outside the house.
With the change of time, the position of woman has changed a lot. They are educated and enjoyed the liberty to select the groom of their choice. They are no longer confined within the walls of the house. They are free to go out and work equally with man to earn her own living. A woman enjoys the right to get divorce from her husband and can remarry. Woman in modern China is expected to give honor and respect to her mother in law and should take care of the household matters. Even today, some of the old traditional attitudes towards woman exist. However, it will not be wrong to point out that their position has improved drastically. They are no longer looked upon as slaves but as an important part of the society.
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