With China growing at a rapid pace and becoming a super power in terms of commerce and political clout, more and more societies are becoming interested to learn about China and its culture. As an emerging super power, other nations are bracing themselves for the impact of China’s influence to the global market and to the international diplomatic scene as well.

An interesting facet of China’s culture is its attitude toward feminism. Feminism in China has greatly evolved in a pleasantly brisk pace. Chinese women are used to being regarded as second-class citizens in old China. Today, China seems to know that Chinese women play an important role in China’s developing industries as they make up more than half of the 2 billion Chinese population. This article is about feminism in China and how it has been influenced by ideals of feminism from the West.

‘Abandoning’ our [Chinese] Daughters

It is common knowledge that China discourages couples to have large families, mainly due to the current population problem of ‘The Sleeping Giant’. Families with more than one child are heavily taxed by the government to discourage couples from having more children. Sons are favored over daughters since daughters are considered liabilities. Feminism in China has evolved greatly since this 70s belief. The last few decades stand witness to how mothers abort female fetuses in the fear of being heavily taxed by the government. But nowadays, thanks to feminism ideals from the West, Chinese couples can be happy to have one child, even if it is a daughter.

Clubbed Feet from Foot Binding

Clubbed feet for Chinese women in the olden days was a sign of noble birth and wealth. Women born into rich families were foot-bound at an early age. Aside from being a sign of being able to afford leisure, clubbed feet is also a sex symbol that is present in “attractive Chinese females”. However, to the West, foot binding is against the ideals of feminism as it hampers the right of women to travel, enjoy their lives, and do whatever they want. Feminism in China helped improve the situation by making people realize that foot binding is not necessary to show a female’s status in life. In fact, it is a nuisance brought about by a misunderstood age-old Chinese tradition. There are still people who practice foot binding today, but Chinese people no longer adhere to it as strictly as they used to, as Chinese females should be more on-the-go nowadays.

Arranged Marriages

The changes in the tradition of arranged marriages are probably the biggest sign of the growing influence of feminism in China. Gone are the days when females have no “say” on whom they can marry. Feminism in China has made Chinese women realize that they are entitled to choose the man whom they wish to marry. Although family members can give their opinions regarding a prospective spouse for a daughter in the family, most modern Chinese families adhere to feminism ideals that let their daughter make her own life decisions. Feminism in China has helped drastically improve the situation of Chinese women socially, professionally, morally, and politically.