4.1 The changing status of women Flashcards
What was foot binding?
The breaking and binding of feet to make feet small which was considered attractive
When was foot binding outlawed?
1911 but still continued in some rural areas
When was the marriage law?
1950
What did the marriage law barn?
- Arranged marriages, bride price, concubinage and polygamy
- Men could not divorce wife is she was pregnant or within a year of giving birth
What did marriage law allow?
Divorce, women could keep property already owned after marriage
How did Mao try and implement marriage law?
Launched huge propaganda campaign initially an a second one in 1953
When was the land distribution campaign?
1950
What did the land distribution campaign allow?
Women could own land in their own name. Short lived as collectivisation meant no one could own their own land
Why should have communes been good for women?
Nurseries, launderers and canteens were provided
Why weren’t communes good for women?
- Few communes had good facilities
- Work points meant women earned less due to physical limits
Why weren’t work points good for women?
Physical labour meant women earns less. In times of famine men were prioritised for food as they were more productive. Caused many return to prostitution
Was there an increases in divorces during famine?
Yes. In Gansu province divorce rate increased by 60% during famine
In the first year of the marriage law, how many women divorced?
1 million
What did women have to sacrifice for emancipation?
Any feminine roles
Where was the strongest resistance to female liberation?
In rural areas, specifically Muslim areas where arranged marriage was part of their culture
