Change of Women’s Status in China

From 551 until 479 B.C., Confucius’s philosophy of ‘filial piety’ influenced the most systematic, institutionalized, and deep-rooted sexist ideologies and practices in China.

This philosophy stipulated that women should obey men, citizens must obey their ruler, and the young must obey the elderly. These three obedience maintained the patriarchal social order in China.

There are common abusive practices in the country that involve women. These abuses include the selling and purchasing of women, wife-beating, and female infanticide. Apparently, these abusive acts done mostly by men have become concrete reasons why Chinese women fight for their rights.

Women in China have suffered as a result of their extremely low status in society, which is somehow similar to other women from other countries. Back then, traditional Chinese culture highlighted the primary roles of women in society, which only revolved around motherhood and managing a household.

Regardless of how inferior Chinese women were back then, Soong Ching-Ling, a famous Chinese political figure, represented women in China and fought for their liberty and equality in a non-violent manner. Her major breakthrough on Chinese women’s liberation was shaping policies in the country pertaining to the visibility of women in society.

At present, China is considered one of the world’s progressing nations. The emancipation of women’s equal participation in professional and political arenas is one of the country’s most long-standing political concerns.

The Involvements of Chinese Women, Now and Then

1. Education

About 2,500 years ago, school education began in China. By that time, Confucius enrolled approximately 3,000 Chinese people as students because he claimed that, “Education should be provided for all without discrimination.”

However, the word “all” excluded girls; as a matter of fact, girls were denied the right to education until the end of the imperial rule in 1911.

Women’s education was different from what it is in the present. The aim of traditional education for women was limited to learning social ethics and family traditions. These two subjects emphasized the importance of becoming a better wife and mother in the family.

The People’s Republic of China was established over 71 years ago. And during this time, 90 percent of girls and women aged over 15 were illiterate. During the 20th century, the western-style modern school system was introduced in the country. The girls were sent to a school specially designed for them.

Many years have passed, and the Compulsory Education Law of the People’s Republic of China took effect in 1986. This law gives its citizens the right to obtain nine years of education, funded by the government.

According to the journal Gender Inequality in Education in China, it says,

“Thanks to the compulsory education system and gender equity promotion, the gender gap in educational attainment has been greatly eliminated in the past decades.”

The progress of female enrollment in higher education has become more evident over the past few decades. In fact, female tertiary learners made up 51.4 percent of the total university student population.

Women have become exposed to science and technology fields. They are also enjoying more programs from the government that would subsidize their college tuition fees.

2. Employment

China’s gender imbalance has caused a slowed population and growth of the labor force. However, it has increased the proportions of the trafficking of single women.

Although China is recognized to have the highest number of women’s labor force participation, people still see women as caregivers and homemakers. Unfortunately, they spend more time doing unpaid household chores than men.

According to a recent survey, more than 85 percent of respondents agreed that having children would — significantly and negatively — affect a woman’s career development.

Gender discrimination doesn’t only exist in the physical office, but it also happens in job advertisements.

In 2018, 19 percent of the job postings in China required male candidates, which doesn’t agree on the basic principle that men and women are equal.

If job openings target women, they specify requirements for women which are not related to the job description. The requirements include married women with children and possession of specific physical attributes like height and weight.

Since gender discrimination has become alarming, the government of China enacted laws in 2019 that would protect women. The law prohibits employers from asking women for their marital status and if they have children as part of employment conditions.

3. Politics

China has been recognized as the second largest economy in the world. This recognition has been apparent in the remarkable economic growth of the country for the past three decades.

Chinese men and women have portrayed an essential role in numerous aspects of socio-economic activities. However, the overall political participation of women in the country has not been significantly enhanced.

In 1995, the United Nations Women’s Conference emphasized “parity”; and part of parity is equal to 50 percent representation of men and women in power to achieve gender equality.

Numerous discussions have risen concerning the definition of Chinese women’s political participation. The discussion revolved around five major aspects: 1) aspiration and capacity, 2) women taking positions in the government, 3) women taking leadership positions and making decisions, 4) women participating in mass organizations, and 5) women raising their concerns and contributing their suggestions.

On the other hand, women’s representation in politics has improved at municipal and county levels, but not at the top level.

The issue of Chinese women in politics infers that negative impacts of the past, misconception of the association among general and sexual orientation specific strategies, and the shortfall of general obligation to the philosophy of gender equality have been the obstacles to women’s liberation in China.

The Social Reformation Towards Gender Equality

Since the 1950s, the role of women in China has changed due to the developments in education and implementation of successive laws which protect them.

Modern Chinese women have become literate, confident, and successful in their chosen fields. Economic progress becomes one of the reasons why they are offered many opportunities at work.

In fact, one-third of state-owned businesses have women who hold executive jobs.

Even though women in China are seen as inferior and weak in the traditional perspective, they have consistently fought for their place in society.