To what extent was the PRC successful in destroying traditional Chinese cultural patterns, for instance the family system, Confucianism, Buddhism, bureaucracy, etc.?

To what extent was the PRC successful in destroying traditional Chinese cultural patterns, for instance the family system, Confucianism, Buddhism, bureaucracy, etc.?

Culture is the soul of a nation. This spiritual factor is as important to mankind as physical factors such as race and land. Cultural developments define the history of a nation's civilization[1]. The complete destruction of a national culture leads to the end of the nation. Ancient nations who had created glorious civilizations were considered to have vanished when their cultures disappeared, even though people of their races may have survived. China is the only country in the world whose ancient civilization has been passed down continuously for over 5,000 years. Destruction of its traditional culture is an unforgivable crime.

China is one of the oldest continuous civilizations in history and the dominant cultural center of East Asia; with flourishing philosophical, political, economic, artistic and scientific traditions, China developed a strong cultural identity as a universalistic civilization. China has struggled for the last century with the challenge of forging a new identity in a world of nation-states and of redefining its cultural values in a modern world. China has experienced a great many changes from all aspects since the new People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. Chair Mao's revolutionary ideas lead revolutionary movements that were aimed at destroying the old culture and customs from the old generation, in order to create a brand new modern society free from the “olds” from the existing culture.

Changes of the position of women in the society

In traditional Chinese culture, women have to bind their feet in order to show the low statue of women in the society. In Shen Fu, women are supposed tostay in the back of families and the society, who were often forbidden from public gatherings and social activities. Fu's wife Yun has to dress as a man to properly attend Fu's friends' festival gathering. When Yun first heard of the gathering she really wanted to go, but she still told Fu, “what a shame that I cannot go just because I am not a man.” (Shen Fu P44)

After the foundation of PRC, Women are not forbidden from social activities anymore. Instead, women's roles in the revolutionary process have become active. Women have even taken some of the leading roles during the revolutionary process. In Son of the Revolution, both genders are equal. And women don't need to bind their feet anymore.Women can also make contributions to the organization. Chair Mao's wife Jiang Qing turned out to be one of the leaders of China, which is impossible during the old time. Women in Liang's family also had chances to work.

Gender inequality is still a serious problem in China fifty years after the founding of the PRC. Men earn more than women for doing the same types of work. Men are more likely to occupy the most desirable ...