 |
| Chinese Cultural Studies:
Women in China: Past and the Present |
Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
|
| You will gain insight into the status of women
in China, both historically and currently, from this site. You will read
excerpts from three different sources. Each one discusses an aspect of women's
life in China. Learn about the importance of the family and efforts to control
population and poverty. You will also learn about the one-child rule and
how females are at risk even before they are born. Another topic is the
rising divorce rate in China and what that reflects about women's social
and economic freedom. |
| Topic: Women--China |
| URL: http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/chinwomn.html |
|
| The Changing Role and
Status of Women in China |
Grade Level: 9-12 |
| China existed as a feudal society for nearly
3,000 years and taught that women were inferior to men. With the establishment
of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the status of women in China
changed dramatically. Arranged marriages were eliminated, and widows were
allowed to remarry. The state protected equal rights for women, practiced
equal pay for equal work and provided equal opportunity for women's training
and promotion. Find out why these sweeping reforms were changed somewhat
in1979 and how women still lack total equality with men in China. |
| Topic: China--History;
Women--China |
| URL: http://www.1990institute.org/publications/pubs/ISUPAP8.html |
|
| Gender Difference in
History: Women in China and Japan |
Grade Level: 9-12 |
| Many cultures teach that women and men possess
different capacities and functions. Often this belief is the basis for the
subordination of women in society. In China, male and female aspects are
considered different, but neither one is considered inferior or superior.
Learn how Taoism and Buddhism granted women some areas of empowerment, even
in ancient times. You will also learn how Confucian teachings and other
influences changed the culture to subjugate women and led to practices such
as footbinding and the selling of daughters. Follow other changes in attitudes
towards women up to the twentieth century on this site. |
| Topic: China--History;
Women--China |
| URL: http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/essay-04.html |
|
| Women in China Finally
Making a Great Leap Forward |
Grade Level: 9-12 |
| Learn about the custom of foot binding that
women in China endured for nearly one thousand years. Although cultures
throughout history have practiced various customs to achieve beauty, foot
binding, an attempt to stop the natural growth of the feet, is one of the
most bizarre and cruel. On this web site, you will learn how the practice
of foot binding went deeper than fashion and reflected the role of women
in Chinese society. It was considered necessary in China for a woman to
have bound feet in order to achieve a good life. |
| Topic: China--History;
Women--China |
| URL: http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/04/hutchins/hutchins.htm |
|
| China's Women Fight
Kitchen Culture |
Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
|
| Women from rural villages in China still lag
far behind Chinese women in major cities in terms of equal opportunity and
advancement. Several women from farming villages told journalists that they
are still handicapped by unequal education and few job opportunities. Most
of all, they are limited by the traditional stereotypical division of social
roles between men and women. Some women who are taking technical training
classes, for example, have to leave in the middle to go home and cook for
their families. Find out other examples of double standards and what the
women are doing to overcome the problems. |
| Topic: Women--China;
Women--Social conditions |
| URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/1797524.stm |
|
| The Strength of Rural
Women in China |
Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
|
| Learn how the role of women in China in rural
areas is changing. Rural women used to work behind the scenes and never
helped make decisions. Since the land reform movements of the 1950s, women
have increasingly commanded more involvement and status. They have begun
taking part in collective labor and have increased family incomes. On this
web site, you will meet some of these rural women and learn about their
lives, their jobs, and their families. |
| Topic: China--Economic
conditions; China--Social life and customs; Women--China |
| URL: http://www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/2006/issue2/0206p21.htm |
|
| Women in China Finally
Making a Great Leap Forward |
Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
|
| Since 1949 China has promised women equality,
but it is only very recently that women in educated urban China are claiming
new status and power. China was traditionally a very patriarchal society,
and you will learn how the revolution of the 1950s made changes quickly
and radically. Males outnumber females in China, and that has led to competition
for brides. There is also a greater emphasis on love inside marriage and
on mutual respect between husband and wife. Learn about the gains women
in China have achieved and why they are struggling to keep them |
| Topic: China--Social
life and customs; Women--China |
| URL: http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1217/p01s04-woap.html |
|
| Born to be Second Class |
Grade Level: 9-12 |
| Women in China seem to be undergoing a backlash
to gains they have made since the sweeping reforms of the 1950s. Women in
China who grew up with equal job and schooling opportunities are now being
pressured to stay home, according to this web site. Female infanticide is
a widespread problem, and women are often the first hired, first fired for
many jobs. Learn how this backsliding has occurred, what real women in China
are experiencing, and how they are fighting back. |
| Topic: China--Economic
conditions--1976-2000; China--History--20th century; Women--China |
| URL: http://www.time.com/time/international/1995/950911/women.china.html |
|
|
| Empress Wu Zetian |
Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
|
| There has only been one female in Chinese history
to rule as emperor, and her name was Wu Zetian. On this web site, you will
learn about Wu Zetian and how she came to power. You will also learn about
the differing opinions about her personality and her leadership. She lived
during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD), which was a time of relative freedom
for women. In order to challenge Confucian beliefs against rule by women,
Wu began a campaign to raise the position of women. Find out how she ultimately
maneuvered her way into being emperor of China. |
| Topic: China--History--Tang
dynasty, 618-907; Empresses; Women--China |
| URL: http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine6.html |