Chinese Women Inequalities In Society

In the textbook, World, During the rule of the Zhou (1122-221 BCE, or before the common era), gender roles were rigid in this patriarchal society. Both men and women were expected to marry, but all marriages were arranged by parents. Whatever the class status, women were expected to be meek and submissive and they enjoyed no official role in public affairs, although some women exercised considerable informal influence. While many elite women were literate because their families could afford an education and literacy prepared and enticed them toward marriages to other elites, few women and men enjoyed the opportunity to read and write. (Lockard,
During the Zhou period, a book called the Yijing (Book of Changes), forecasted future events and the core argument was that heaven and earth are in a continuous state of transformation. The theory of yin and yang, two cosmic forces that balance the universe. Yang was related to bright, active, and masculine whereas yin was correlated with dark, calm, and feminine attributes. Given the Chinese preference for hierarchy, yang was superior to yin. Meaning that males were superior to females, thus this philosophy justified inequalities in society.
One of the most influential philosophers of the late Zhou period was Confucius. He was a Chinese man who failed to …show more content…
The Han dynasty ruled from 206 BCE to 220 CE and was one of the most successful dynasties. The gender relations in this era was also a patriarch. As the oldest male was given and at time demanded the most respect and male lineage was extremely significant. The family system put women at a lower status than men. Women were expected to be devoted first to their parents, then their husband, and finally their sons after their husband died. To have the son take care of his parents was an important value. Laws held the family accountable for the actions of its members and discouraged inappropriate behavior. A male’s power was strongest if he was