The Role of Women

1
The Role of Women

• Women in China

2
Women in Traditional China

• Women of all classes were valued less than men
• Wealthy families practiced foot-binding
• Keep feet small and beautiful
• Keep girls at home and dependent on husband

3
Women in Traditional China cont.

• In poor families had to help work in the fields
• Girls often sold into slavery during hard times,
  infanticide also occurred
• At very young ages, girls promised to other
  families through arranged marriages
• Young brides were often mistreated by their
  mother-in-law

4
Women in China Today

• Women today enjoy much equality with men in the
  work place and at home
• Communist government that took over in 1950s
• outlawed foot-binding
• gave women equal rights
• Arranged marriages are no longer encouraged
• One child per family is encouraged by the
  government, family planning, birth control and
  abortions are available to the masses

5
Chinese Writing

• Chinese was developed as a writing system by 1700
  BCE
• oldest continuously used writing system in the
  world
• Early characters were pictographs
• Later on Chinese developed ideographs

6
Unification and Standardization

• Standardization of writing was conducted by the
  First Emperor of Qin who unified China in 221 BCE
• Before that time, each of the many states in
  China had their own writing style

7
Education

• Why is education a more effective than force in
  changing a societys way of life?
• When Communists took over in 1949, schools were
  built, writing system was simplified so that
  education was accessible to the masses

8
After watching the segment from Joy Luck Club,
respond to the following question, (Your response
should be at least a paragraph long, put some
thought into this)

• How can you connect the ideas of Confucianism,
  womens rights, family relationships, and roles
  in society to this situation, the girl in the
  arranged marriage?

9
Dynasty Assignment Per.2

• Shang Clare, Owen
• Zhou Dylan, Bonnie
• Qin Jeff, Gillian, Nick R
• Han Chris, Carly
• Tang Ryan, Liz
• Song Mac, Libby
• Yuan Colin, Nick S
• Ming AJ, McKenna
• Qing Lisa, Dorry

10
Dynasty Assignments Per.4

• Shang Angelina, Amanda
• Zhou James, Katie, Shannon
• Qin Adam, Nicole
• Han Caroline, Bobby
• Tang Natalie, Henry
• Song Courtney, Brad Mc.
• Yuan Ivy, Eric, Jess
• Ming Alana, Patrick
• Qing Brad Mag., Hannah

11
Tonights homework

• Find one credible source with information on your
  dynasty, take good notes and collect accurate
  visuals of your dynasty. You will want to use
  your text book as well this may be the best
  place to start. (p.292-304)