The Chinese constitution, as amended, covers women's rights in some detail. (Our own constitution does not do so).
In China, women hold important positions in business and government. Same as here. In some professions like medicine, more than here. This is arguably less true in Japan and Korea. Arguably. Its easy to lean into stereotypes when you deal with big categories like gender, nationality, or even language and dialect. When a culture has a folklore about people that it encounters, that's folk-sociology
Different regions of China have different folk-sociology about women. We gringos do this too: you know the drill: "These Wyoming women are tough, mountain women!" "I wish they all could be California girls. . ." etc. What about 中国？
Girls from Anhui? Sexy!
Up in the north of China? Those women are hard-drinking and tough!
Shanghai? Those bossy Shanghai women, always focused on fashion and beauty, make their husbands do the cooking and cleaning while they shop!
(This is a great topic for discussion with cab drivers, by the way; you can keep track of the folk-sociology of gender, region, and nationality; and its okay to dispute and argue! Cab drivers seem to enjoy a good discussion. Just be sure to wear your seat belt as some drivers may turn and look at you and not the road.)
Famous singers like Na Yin are known for where they are from. Na Yin (那英) is from Liaoning Province in the Northwest of China. (The link is to her very famous song, one of many, called "Sharp.")
Na Ying taught me some drinking games one evening, with a bunch of her famous friends. She is sort of a Madonna-like famous singer figure: tough and independent. She married famous footballer, Gao Feng, but things didn't work out. When I tell people I met her and she taught me drinking games, folks always say, "Oh, yes, she's from the North of China! Those women are something tough!" Fun.
So, in a couple days, China will celebrate 3/8; SanBa day. Its International Woman's Day. What? You never heard of that? Everyone celebrates it, right? Its a United Nations Recognized special day, isn't it?
And, of course, there is very interesting folk-sociology about men in China, according to where they are from. Who is tall? Who is henpecked? Where are the shuai ge (good looking) men? Where are the philosophers from; the artists? And, if you want, there are plenty of goofy stereotypes about 老外 (lao wai, foreigners), too. Check this article from The New Yorker for African immigrant's daily live in Guangzhou, if you have a moment. Its a good read. And a reminder that Americans are not the only folks who fall victim to stereotyping and, sometimes, much worse.
Friday, March 6, 2009
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I really enjoy the Sexy Bejing movies. This one was entertaining and interesting. I thought it was interesting how everyone contested that women were equal. No one mentioned the "glass ceiling" no one mentioned anything that would indicate that the "Rise" of women was forced. Curious.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I wish I were more like Smacker, and not care so much about how I am characterized as a working woman. I wonder if there is a contentious attitude towards "stay at home moms" there vs "working moms". I also wonder how they handle child care - does grandma and grandpa take care of the child. (I suppose it's easier there because most only have one)
Yep! Grandmother comes to stay when you have your child. And for a lot of migrant workers, dad or even mom may be far from their children, working in the big city, while grandparents or aunts or uncles care for the little ones. Not fun!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I have gone to the nail salon in Kansas City for years and this always seems to be a topic of discussion when I go. That is how the shop owner is a female and working all the time while her mother is home with the kids. Interesting to say the least.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the article in the New Yorker, also very interesting. Around this time last year, I was watching a show on PBS (I think). There was an interview with a black lady who had lived in China for several years as a journalist. She spoke on many very realy stereotypes, but as I listened to her I realized that the stereotypes in China were not so different than those here. She mentioned that alot of the stereotypes played out in China have a lot to do with what the Chinese people see and hear on television regarding blacks here in the US. For example, rap videos, bling-bling, etc. I was worried about what my experience would be like there, but seems it might not be that much different than here.
The video was funny. I especially found it interesting to see the older than 50 yr old man talking about women being powerful, they are equal to man. "They hold up the sky" is an interesting statement, very strong! I am celebrating SanBa tomorrow! It will be my day! But I am not long winded!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Sexy Bejing video interviews of woman was interesting. They've made a lot of progress in terms of womens rights; one lady commented "the ole bastard would come leave money, now we can make our own."
ReplyDeleteIt will be intersting to see it first hand....
Breat video. The lady in the yellow jacket reminded me of a Chinese Jolene. She definatly does not take any stuff.
ReplyDelete