Society- Changes in Women's Status in China

Question 1

Describe the ‘three obediences’ that traditionally governed women’s status in China.

Answer 1

The ‘three obediences’ dictated that women should obey their father when young, their husband when married, and their son in old age.

Question 2

Explain the significance of the ‘Shining Red Lanterns’ in the Boxer movement.

Answer 2

The ‘Shining Red Lanterns’ were special women’s units that played an organized and significant role in the Boxer movement, marking one of the first times women acted as a collective social force in Chinese history.

Question 3

How did Protestant missionaries influence women’s status in 19th century China?

Answer 3

Protestant missionaries challenged Confucian ideals, promoting female literacy and education, criticizing practices like foot-binding and arranged marriages, and providing women with opportunities in Protestant schools.

Question 4

Define the practice of foot binding and its cultural implications in China.

Answer 4

Foot binding involved tightly binding a girl’s feet to prevent normal growth, leading to deformed bones and a small foot size, which was considered beautiful and sexually appealing, despite causing physical crippling.

Question 5

Discuss the impact of Western female emancipation on Chinese women during the 19th century.

Answer 5

Western female emancipation, exemplified by literate female missionaries, provided a stark contrast to Chinese women’s subjugation, inspiring some Chinese women to seek education and challenge traditional norms.

Question 6

What were the traditional attitudes towards marriage for women in China?

Answer 6

Traditional attitudes enforced a woman’s inferiority, often forcing them into arranged marriages, where they lacked independence and were not equal partners, sometimes sharing their husbands with concubines.

Question 7

How did the anti-foot binding movement emerge in China?

Answer 7

The anti-foot binding movement began in the 1880s, largely led by Christian missionaries, as a response to the deeply rooted cultural practice that caused physical harm to women.

Question 8

Explain the limitations faced by women in terms of education and political voice in traditional Chinese society.

Answer 8

Women were prohibited from accessing formal education, could not participate in civil service examinations, and had no political voice, reinforcing their subservient status in society.

Question 9

Describe the economic implications of having a daughter in traditional families.

Answer 9

Daughters were often seen as a financial burden because they would be married off, leaving the family and requiring a dowry, which could include jewelry or household items. This led to situations where daughters might be denied food in favor of their brothers, and in desperate cases, families resorted to infanticide.

Question 10

Explain the role of mothers-in-law in traditional marriages.

Answer 10

Mothers-in-law often exerted significant control over new brides, assigning them difficult chores and being jealous of their relationship with their sons. This dynamic could lead to a lack of emotional support for the bride and even physical punishment for mistakes.

Question 11

How did gender discrimination affect educational opportunities for girls?

Answer 11

Girls were largely denied educational opportunities because families saw no benefit in educating them, as they would soon leave home. Surveys indicated that literacy rates for females were drastically lower than for males, with only 1% of females over age 7 being literate compared to 30% of males.

Question 12

Define the significance of the 1950 New Marriage Law in China.

Answer 12

The 1950 New Marriage Law marked a significant shift in women’s rights, granting legal equality, prohibiting dowries and child marriages, and requiring free-will in marriage. It aimed to dismantle feudal practices that oppressed women.

Question 13

Do traditional marriages in China provide emotional support for women?

Answer 13

Traditional marriages often lacked emotional support for women, as the focus was on obedience and subservience to husbands and in-laws, particularly mothers-in-law, who were more concerned with their own needs.

Question 14

Explain the impact of Confucian ethics on widows in traditional Chinese society.

Answer 14

Confucian ethics discouraged the remarriage of widows, leaving them economically vulnerable and often dependent on their in-laws or sons for support, which could lead to further oppression.

Question 15

Describe the societal view of women as property in traditional marriages.

Answer 15

Women were often viewed as property that had been purchased through marriage, reinforced by practices such as the bride price and the expectation that husbands would treat their wives as subservient and obedient.

Question 16

How did Mao’s New Marriage Law aim to transform women’s lives in China?

Answer 16

Mao’s New Marriage Law aimed to improve women’s lives by granting them legal rights, such as property ownership and divorce, and by abolishing practices like dowries and child marriages, promoting a more equitable marriage system.

Question 17

Describe the impact of the New Marriage Law on marriage ages in China between 1946 and 1965.

Answer 17

The New Marriage Law led to a significant decrease in the number of marriages involving brides aged 16 to 17, dropping from 18.6% between 1946 and 1949 to 2.4% between 1958 and 1965.

Question 18

Explain how the New Marriage Law affected women’s choices in relationships.

Answer 18

The New Marriage Law allowed women to choose relationships based on personal decisions rather than arranged marriages, enabling them to seek better quality of life and access resources controlled by Party cadres.

Question 19

Define the challenges faced in enforcing the New Marriage Law.

Answer 19

Enforcement of the New Marriage Law was problematic due to backlash from men who felt entitled to economic rewards from marriages, leading to increased divorce rates and violence during divorce proceedings.

Question 20

How did attitudes of Party cadres influence the implementation of the New Marriage Law?

Answer 20

Many Party cadres were ambivalent or hostile towards the New Marriage Law, fearing that it would disrupt social order and preferring to side with local customs rather than enforce the law.

Question 21

Discuss the reaction of traditional Muslim communities to the New Marriage Law.

Answer 21

Traditional Muslim communities, particularly in non-Han Chinese areas like Xinjiang, resisted the New Marriage Law, leading to little change in women’s lives despite the government’s propaganda efforts.

Question 22

What was the significance of Article 1 of the New Marriage Law?

Answer 22

Article 1 abolished compulsory arranged marriages, allowing women to make their own choices in marriage, which was a significant step towards women’s liberation.

Question 23

How did the New Marriage Law affect the status of mothers-in-law?

Answer 23

The New Marriage Law reduced the status of mothers-in-law, as they could no longer impose their will on their sons’ wives, leading to tensions and violence in some cases.

Question 24

Explain the consequences of the high divorce rates following the New Marriage Law.

Answer 24

The high divorce rates, with 1.4 million petitions filed in 1953, led to financial losses for men who viewed marriage as an investment, resulting in social unrest and violent reactions from some husbands.

Question 25

Describe the role of women in the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 25

Women were mobilized as productive labor, but most did not work in the fields, with only the poorest compelled to support men in farm work. Mao aimed to tap into women's labor as a vast reserve for building socialism.

Question 26

Explain Mao's perspective on women's work during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 26

Mao believed that enabling women to work would lead to their 'liberation through labour' and promote equality, as women could earn equal pay for equal work, similar to the 'iron women' of Soviet propaganda.

Question 27

How did the establishment of communes aim to change women's domestic roles?

Answer 27

The communes were intended to free women from domestic servitude by centralizing childcare in Party Kindergartens and alleviating food preparation through communal canteens.

Question 28

Define the impact of communal kindergartens on mothers during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 28

Mothers experienced distress from the marginalization of their roles, as they had to leave their children in poorly run kindergartens, leading to separation for weeks and inadequate care.

Question 29

Describe the conditions in the kindergartens during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 29

Kindergartens were often in poor buildings, staffed by inadequately trained individuals, leading to high rates of illness among children and appalling standards of care.

Question 30

Explain the challenges faced by women regarding communal canteens.

Answer 30

Communal canteens were meant to relieve women of cooking responsibilities, but poor food quality and long distances to access food increased their hardships instead.

Question 31

How did the Great Leap Forward affect the quality of life for women despite increased labor participation?

Answer 31

Although more women worked, they still bore the burden of domestic chores, and the promised equality did not improve their overall quality of life.

Question 32

What were the consequences of the collapse of kindergartens by the end of the Great Leap Forward?

Answer 32

The collapse forced exhausted women to care for their children while also working and foraging for food, exacerbating their struggles during a time of famine.

Question 33

Describe the impact of the work points system on women's labor during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 33

The work points system resulted in women receiving fewer points than men, regardless of their productivity or skill, due to traditional notions of male superiority. This disincentivized women from contributing to the collective economy and reinforced traditional gender roles.

Question 34

Explain how the collapse of family units affected women during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 34

As families disintegrated, women became more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, including sexual abuse from cadres. The breakdown of moral decency and exhaustion from work and starvation heightened their vulnerability.

Question 35

Define the role of the Women's Association in promoting political activism among women.

Answer 35

The Women's Association was created by the communists to mobilize women for political activism, with a significant membership and resources dedicated to education and promoting the communist cause.

Question 36

How did the regime's focus on economic productivity affect gender relations during the Great Leap Forward?

Answer 36

While the regime aimed to maximize economic productivity by involving women in the workforce, it inadvertently led to transformative changes in gender relations, providing women with opportunities they previously lacked.

Question 37

Do women receive equal work points compared to men in the work points system?

Answer 37

No, women typically received fewer work points than men, with men able to earn up to ten points while women were limited to a maximum of eight, reflecting gender discrimination.

Question 38

Describe the conditions faced by pregnant women during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 38

Pregnant women were often forced to work through their pregnancies, leading to miscarriages, and those who refused were subjected to humiliating and harsh treatment, such as being forced to undress in winter.

Question 39

Explain the consequences of the famine on women's livelihoods during the Great Leap Forward.

Answer 39

The famine forced many women into prostitution as they traded sex for food, highlighting the extreme desperation and vulnerability they faced during this period.

Question 40

How did the regime's propaganda contrast with the reality of women's experiences during the Great Leap Forward?

Answer 40

The regime's propaganda proclaimed revolutionary changes in gender equality, but the reality included significant discrimination, abuse, and a lack of genuine support for women's rights and well-being.

Question 41

Describe the role of women in the PLA during the Cultural Revolution.

Answer 41

Women were involved in the PLA by weaving uniforms and making shoes, which reinforced traditional gender roles, but they also participated actively in political movements and were celebrated as revolutionary heroes.

Question 42

Explain how the Cultural Revolution affected women's clothing and gender expectations.

Answer 42

During the Cultural Revolution, men and women wore the same Maoist uniform, which symbolized a departure from traditional gender expectations and allowed women to engage in political activities.

Question 43

Define the educational changes for girls in China from 1929 to 1978.

Answer 43

Between 1929 and 1949, only 38% of rural girls completed primary education, but by 1978, 45% of primary school children were girls, indicating significant improvements in girls' education.

Question 44

How did the PLA recruit women for military service in 1949?

Answer 44

The PLA enlisted unmarried, educated female students aged 18 to 19 to serve in military academies, particularly to provide companionship for soldiers stationed in border regions.

Question 45

the significance of the advertisement in the New Hunan Daily in February 1951.

Answer 45

The advertisement aimed to recruit women for a work team in Xinjiang, offering incentives like paid study in the Soviet Union and opportunities for professional advancement, appealing to both rural and educated women.

Question 46

Describe the impact of land ownership on women's equality as noted by a Women's Association leader.

Answer 46

Land ownership was seen as crucial for women's equality, allowing them to be self-sufficient and independent, contrasting with traditional views of dependency on men for livelihood.

Question 47

Do women in the Cultural Revolution have a role in political movements?

Answer 47

Yes, women were actively involved in political movements during the Cultural Revolution, leading groups like the Red Guards and participating in campaigns against social issues.

Question 48

Explain how the communist regime's policies began to change attitudes towards gender equality.

Answer 48

The introduction of educational and employment opportunities for women, including military careers and professional roles, contributed to shifting societal attitudes towards gender equality.

Question 49

Describe the impact of collectivisation on land ownership in China.

Answer 49

Collectivisation ended the possibility of individual land ownership, as all land ownership was banned.

Question 50

Explain the challenges faced by peasant women after 1949 in China.

Answer 50

Peasant women were doubly marginalised due to their location and gender, facing inadequate evidence of change in their lives despite state policies.

Question 51

How did the role of women in the workforce change after the CCP's reforms?

Answer 51

Despite reforms, women continued to hold less influential jobs and were expected to manage most household and childcare responsibilities.