Chinese Culture in the 17th and 18th centuries

Introduction

In traditional Confucianism, in seventeen and eighteen century the roles of conduct are directed by in large towards men and the way in which men must pay all respect to their parents, which is how filial piety is defined for the male. However, a Chinese woman must not only be filial to her parents, but to her parents-in-law, husband, male relatives and even to her own sons. For women this meant complete subjugation first to her father, and then her husband, and finally to her sons.

“… Under this subjugated rule women were not allowed the freedom to pursue their own goals in life. Even after the death of their husbands they were bound by the laws of filial piety to remain loyal to him and either live life as a widow or commit suicide. In fact it was considered better for a woman to commit suicide, as this showed a great amount of filial piety towards her husband”(Wang pp.65-70). Although women may have been able to find small ways to control their lives, through control over children and servants, for the most part they were always at the mercy of the will of others and society. As time passed, other doctrines, such as those of Daoism and Buddhism, gained importance to Chinese society and Confucianism was no longer the only voice of moral and intellectual law.

Thesis Statement

The purpose of this paper is to find out about the comparison of cultural issues of women in Chinese Culture during the 17th and 18th centuries and the issues that are pointed out by John King Fairbanks in "Footbinding".

Discussion

Women during seventeen and eighteen century in China could not hold any position of power. They are portrayed as "objects" sold off into marriage. Their feet were bound to keep them from running off. In marriage ceremonies, they were always covered up, blinded to the events of the marriage until they were in their wedding bed.

Yet, this is a narrow view of the ultimate power they did have even during these times. While men ruled the world outside, women controlled the functions of the house. The wives of any man fell into rank within the household. The head wife could dictate who went where, how much money was spent on household needs, what education the children received, and ultimately the fate of the lives of the other women beneath her(Mann pp.89-95).

Men were as bound by society as women in that they had little say in who they would marry. Normally, it would be the aunt or a matchmaker, normally an elderly woman of the village, who would arrange the favorable union of two families.

Mothers of young nobles, and especially child Emperors, effectively ruled in place of their sons. They made the decisions and governed the lands behind the scenes. They were given formal titles and positions such as Empress Dowager. Some, like Empress Dowager Lu, would forever be feared for cruelty to her enemies that ...