China Sexism Essay

Based on the readings provided on canvas and the class textbook, women in East-Asian nations, such as Japan and China, had more economic opportunities and could attain more prestige than European women of Catholic nations during this time-period.
“It should be noted that there was a defect in the formation of the first woman, since she was formed from a bent rib…” (Kramer). This quote from Kramer highlights the fundamental root of the sexism that was inherent in the Catholic Church. The Church, which was undoubtedly the most dominant force of authority in the life of medieval Europeans, could spread sexism and the degradation of the appreciation of the female gender with relative ease by way of its teachings. Whether that came from the mouth of an inquisitor, bishop, or a local priest was irrelevant, people listened to the “word of God” and if that word deemed women “defect in intelligence” (Kramer) and “defect of inordinate affections and passions” (Kramer) then the masses thusly believed so. Therefore, one can easily see why women were allowed …show more content…
City women were able gain employment as poets, sorcerers, and writers while upper-class women across the empire could gain employment as deft painters. Additionally, women could gain work inside the Emperor’s Forbidden City as healers, powerbrokers, and consorts. The simple mention of the involvement of women in various employments showcases their significance to the prosperity of Ming economics and culture. Furthermore, prestige was more readily available to them via gaining renown by working for the Emperor, who was seen as divine by all Chinese subject and whose veneration would easily carry on to those in his direct employment. Compared to women in European societies, women in Chinese society made many career path options and opportunities to gain