Full Description
This book provides an in-depth study of traditional Confucian concepts of women, the emergence of the "New Woman," and contemporary female gender roles in China. Rich and detailed in content, it combines macro-level analysis with specific case studies, tracing the evolution of gender perceptions of women in Chinese society over three millennia while exploring the social ecology of modern Chinese women. Drawing on perspectives from the ancient Chinese classic I Ching (or Yijing), the author delves into the various ritual and ethical constraints imposed on women to consolidate men's dominant social power following the establishment of the patriarchal system. With social development and progress, feminist ideas began to emerge and gain momentum, challenging Confucian gender norms and enabling the expression of women's liberation and self-worth. This has prompted a reexamination of female gender roles. The book offers novel arguments, profound insights, and rigorous analysis, supported by an extensive range of references. It systematically outlines the historical evolution of gender concepts in Chinese society over the past three thousand years and examines the social dynamics shaping contemporary Chinese women. As an academic monograph with a rigorous structure and incisive perspectives, it holds significant scholarly value and practical relevance.
Contents
Part I Confucian Views on Traditional Chinese Women.- 1. Yi Studies and its Views on Gender Roles.- 2. Confucian Views on Gender Roles in Marriage.- 3. The Double Standards of Confucian Moral Ethical Views on Genders.- 4. Traditional Confucian Concepts on Female Chastity.- 5. The Daoist Views on Gender Roles.- 6. Challenges to the Confucian Gender Norms During the Ming and the Qing Dynasties.- PART II Birth of "New Women".- 7. Kang Youwei's Thoughts on Women's Liberation in his Datong Shu.- 8. The Evolution of the Notion of "Virtuous Wife and Good Mother" in the Past Century.- 9. The Birth of the "May Fourth New Woman".- 10. A Century Belonging to Women.- 11. Leisure Entertainment—a Self-Demonstration of the Values of Women's Life.- PART III The Gender Roles of the Contemporary Chinese Women.- 12. The "Feminine Mystique" in China: The Dilemma of Advancing into the Society and Returning Home.- 13. The Enhancement of Female Subjective Consciousness Through Women's Leisure.- 14. Fast Changes in the Families and Marriage Lives of Chinese People.- 15. A Comprehensive Overview of Women's Art and Literature over the Six Decades of New China. 16. Why are there no Feminist Thinkers among the Contemporary Female Chinese Writers?.- 17. The Impact of Childbearing on Women's Lives.- 18. Gender and Cultural Studies (2001-2006): A Literature Review.- 19. On Female Rationality and Emotions.- Epilogue.
