Dr. Geeta Kochhar, Assistant Professor on "Women in Chinese Society- From male-domination to female domination"

Dr. Geeta Kochhar finds that Chinese women are in almost all fields  from riding buses, taxi, cars to selling commodities in the market and acting as a backbone to the manufacturing units . She says their  role has moved from a homemaker to a potential economic soldier that guards against all odds of the business rule with a unique style. Most foreigners find shopping in China as a pleasure due to the charms of those pretty girls who leave you flattered.

                

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When India is juggling to improve its image of a “rapist society”, China is setting an unprecedented example. It is apt to look at China that has transcended from an extremely male-dominated society to women in-all-fields society. Chinese society has made huge strides in the emancipation of women under the rule of the Communist Party of China. Yet, questions abound on the very nature of this emancipation. Many scholars view the present status of Chinese women as more deteriorated with objections over “commodification of women”. However, an undeniable fact is the present space and position created in the Chinese society, where most women enjoy a better life.

             "A country where a girl child’s foot was bounded (缠足 chanzu) to not let it grow; women now dominate China’s international business."

 On streets from riding buses, taxi, cars to selling commodities in the market and acting as a backbone to the manufacturing units, Chinese women are in almost all fields. Their role has moved from a homemaker to a potential economic soldier that guards against all odds of the business rule with a unique style. Most foreigners find shopping in China as a pleasure due to the charms of those pretty girls who leave you flattered. From hotel staff to airhostesses, business runs with the young girls trained for service at best on all costs.

            This new wave of ample opportunities for the young women in urban areas has also brought in a wave of rural women migration. Problems aside, rural women migrating to urban areas are also redefining the fashion and live-style in urban China. A hectic morning to evening schedule of work is not without being super-conscious about looks. Hence, a high tide in beauty salons and fashion accessories is on the rise.

            Another wave that has caught much attention among foreigners is the young girls’ night out parties. Probably, the one best all foreign women enjoy in China is the “Ladies night”. Almost all pubs and bars have one day in a week where drinks flow free for women. Exclusive parties for women are also arranged to make them feel special. Are the Chinese women still waiting for an International Women’s Day to celebrate?  Quite unlikely.

            The equation though has not changed on many fronts. Still women in China retire ahead of men, the number of women in top political and entrepreneurial posts is relatively low, social tags of preference of male over female remains, mid and older women have to sacrifice for the household responsibility and some cases of sexual exploitation exists.

            " Yet, the life in which one finds women dancing on streets to keep themselves fit is a culture unimaginable in China few decades ago. "

Yet, the life in which one finds women dancing on streets to keep themselves fit is a culture unimaginable in China few decades ago.
More foreign women walk on streets of major cities in China late at night without fear. In particular, apart from the fact that most westerners prefer Chinese women, Asians consider Chinese men as best serving husbands. True or not, is worth a long debate. However, among Asian countries, China surely provides a special place where women can walk freely and take control of their own lifestyle. A liberty not guaranteed in many Asian countries. In addition, the negotiation for choosing one’s life partner to re-balancing work at home front is probably best assured in China than most Asian countries. China may not be the best place in the world, but is definitely the best women desire for living, especially single women.

One may argue that women are increasingly viewed as objects of desire in China, but many Chinese women in the real business will counter argue. One girl told me, “we are here for we want higher living standard and not by compulsion of any sort”. I pause and rethink, “REALLY???” Yes, possibly the desires have run high beyond what women traditionally could dream. Today, Chinese women are bold, active and conscious about their rights. The rules set by the male-dominated society have been broken long back; instead, they are preaching the new rules of living. Living that sets no boundaries and creates a new substance of women now known across globe. China has in true sense become a place women passionately want to enjoy their living. Imagination of what they can do is a useless exercise, as the only limit to that enjoyment is the sky. 

(Dr. Geeta Kochhar is  Assistant Professor, Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, JNU, New Delhi)