Abstract
Masculinity is dominant in Chinese traditional culture for over two thousand years. Since Confucianism was advocated in the Qin dynasty, the three cardinal principles became a core value of Chinese society indicating the comparatively lower social status of women in China, especially the position within a family. With the influence of feminism within Communism and the Western culture, the social status of Chinese women transformed significantly. This chapter examined the social status of Chinese women specifically through the transition of Chinese cultural, economic, social, and political contexts, particularly through their family roles. The specific issues under discussion include expectations of the family role of Chinese women in the changing family structure, the conflict between career development and family obligation, the contradictory philosophies in children raising—the accountability of mom’s disciplines, and the changing identities of younger generations. A better understanding of the current social status of Chinese women can be achieved through investigating the above issues. Discussions, practical recommendations, and directions for future research are also provided.
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Sun, J.Y., Zhuang, J.Y. (2023). Family Role and Social Status. In: Ke, J., McLean, G.N. (eds) Chinese Women in Leadership. Current Perspectives on Asian Women in Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68819-0_2
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