Here are a list of things why the citizens of China tend to favor boys over girls :
- Men are more capable of hard labour
- Receive higher wages than women
- Be better providers for the parents when they get old
- Boys and the wives they marry would take care of the members of his own family
- Passes on the family's name/bloodline
(Let's keep in mind that not everyone within China hold this belief, this is mostly because of the age-old traditions)
Women are equally capable of doing what men can do, in fact possibly even better. They can provide just as much for their family and make higher wages. Once they get married, who says they are not allowed to take care of both families? I believe it is possible, at least they could try. Not every women changes their last name once they get married, the family can discuss about this topic when the time come. There's also another alternative like having both last names.
Here's a link that talk about this topic more in depth and also the impact if this rate continues: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/10/chinas-population-laws-th_n_185626.html
If you don't understand article, here's a video that can explain it:
Discussion Questions:
- Why is it so hard to break from tradition?
- When will the chinese know that women are just as capable as men?
- Do you believe women are capable of doing things way better than men can?
- What do you think about the list, is it true? If so, tell me why? If not, still tell me why?
Up until this day not everyplace has accepted women to be at the same rank of men. To answer question 3. I don't think women are capable of doing things way better than men can or vice versa. Then that would be a stereotype too. Just because you're a certain gender shouldn't give you and advantage or disadvantage of capability at doing something. We are all equal. Not all women have the same strengths and weaknesses and not all men have the same strengths and weaknesses. It balances out because we are all different and unique. Something a women may be amazing at doing a a man she knows may be horrible at and vice-versa.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maryam. I now have a better view that women and men are both capable of doing things equally.But in reality, there are things that men cannot do and women can only do, but I agree we are all unique in our own way.
DeleteI guess this just goes to show how people are so closely held to their traditions and what they believe is best for them. To answer your first question, I want to think of it as a sort of "appeal to tradition" kind of thing. The generalized idea of conceiving a male baby is favoured over a female baby is the advertisement, and since it has been practiced over a prolonged period of time, it sort of does become the norm of East-Asian parents and their babies. I also think it's hard to break tradition because of how families would be judged, or if they suddenly decide to let their family name be changed. In ways, it would be embarrassing or frowned upon - "Why give up having a male baby? It's so much better." sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Selina, it is very true that china continues to follow its tradition in which discriminates upon women due to what is believed to be distinct qualities between gender. I also agree with Kent's answer towards tradition, if the parents are bothered by having a female, which can affect the families' name, then it would be difficult tackle against this "tradition" because in China, offsprings are treated somewhat like servants . With China being influenced that females are lacking male attributes, i think it would take immense amount of work for this discrimination to be abolished.
ReplyDeleteI believe the reason why traditions are hard to break is because people are brought up believing that the only way to be happy and successful is to follow traditions. A factor that stops people from breaking these tradition would be fear of the unknown future. For me personally, i had a hard time building up the confidence to let my parents know about my relationship life since, i do not know how they would feel if i were to date out of my race. My parents have been accepting towards my choices but, throughout my life so far, i have always thought that being with someone my race is the normal thing to do and anything otherwise would make me different. Yes i have had many moments were i am judged by the people around me due to my decision but, if I do not change these silly expected traditions that stop me from being happy then, who will?
ReplyDeletei agree with Maryam here, both genders share equality in terms of strengths, weaknesses or capabilities. To comment on your third question, Selina, I this think that women are just as capable of doing things better then men. In the past, they say that men should be the ones who appear as tough and strong and as they go out to war while women appear as gentle, caring, and nurturing. However, appearance of women of changed throughout the years and it is shown that women can be just as strong as the men could. They go out to work and they make high wages like the men are expected to.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Kristina here. I do believe that traditions is hard to break because of the success that influences them in specific communities like cultures and such. On the personal side, I'm not in a relationship, although I've always wondered what my parents' reactions would be if I were to say if I ever bring home someone who is from a different race. Not in the offensive way, but with that in mind I've always thought that being with someone from the same race as me was just a typical topic that I believed to be normal.
ReplyDeleteAmazing article Selina. Good Job!
ReplyDeleteI would start off by first saying that even though you mentioned that some Chinese parents prefer male over females for their babies, but some actually do not. We are all aware of the fact that China is a superpower and possibly the next world power to replace America in the next few decades, since Americans are too worried about carrying out invasions in middle east. I would like to say that, China is growing economically and educationally. People are getting educated about how to make right choices and what is wrong and what is right, despite putting their old age traditions into action. I guess what i am trying to explain here is that, some parents in China are finally realizing the fact that it is as equally important for them to raise a female child compared to a male one. Females have indeed proven to be the leaders of the world and many parents who are against the birth of a female child are starting to realize the importance of women. The ratio of birth between boys and girls is aprroximately 119 (boys) to 100 (girls). The ratio is pretty high. In recent consensus the the number has slightly decreased meaning that people are starting to like female babies. I would like you to read analyze the first paragraph of this article for a clear understanding of my argument.
http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1207870/china-must-solve-its-daughter-deficit
I know some people do not follow this like the others. Im saying the majority of the population prefer men because they have this mind set that men are able to offer more than women. It amazing how people within China are changing and being more educated about this topic. I do hope that more girls are being born, not more than boys but at the same rate. It would be a shame if the guys could not find a companion in the future because of the lack of girls present.
DeleteTrying to break away from tradition is like trying to break stereotype; it’s almost impossible for some. As for women being able to do things better that men, I don’t think that’s the case, I believe they are equally as capable. Yes everyone has their strengths but we can’t use that to pick the better; it would be an unfair labeling.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that breaking tradition is like breaking stereotypes. Some people agree and some do not want to accept change. Some traditions are not right because they discriminate, in this case girls. It is okay to break tradition because there are other ways to live life.
DeleteBreaking tradition is hard because it's been fixated in our culture for generations. Since it's always been there, we are not used to challenging or criticizing it. China is not the only place that has this mentality toward girls; the Middle East also shares a similar attitude toward women. In Malala Yousafzai's (the girl who was shot by the Taliban for advocating educational rights) biography, she talks about how her brothers' births were more celebrated than hers. Even in North America, the way society treats women in the media and otherwise speaks volumes as to how the world truly views us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rebecca. Now I know its not only China that has this mentality.Its globally, even in North America. But why do we only here these case in China? Is it because they are well known for this kind of discrimination or because they have a huge population and that one-child policy?
DeleteTo answer question # 1, personally I believe that it is hard for people to break out from traditions since it is embedded into their minds. What I mean is that this idea of boys being preferred over girls has probably been passed down for decades, therefore this makes it a dominant discourse in a way. The only way tradition can stop or change is if the family prefers to change. In these cases were dealing with individuals from china who have this conception in their mind that boys will pass down the family and so on. To answer # 2, I believe there is still some time remaining in order for the Chinese to officially consider woman as capable as men. Woman are as capable as men since we see many woman working jobs that men usually do. However if we can get this misconception out of our minds about woman being perceived to be less valuable than boy, then this tradition will finally come to a stop.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is very hard to break this tradition because similar to other Asian countries they are not used to change. Unlike our country, where society stereotypes and trends are changing constantly everyday.
ReplyDeleteThe chinese nation will realize that women are just as capable of men when more men and women start to step up to the plate and change the way this situation is being addressed by the society over there.
I do believe that women are more than capable than doing the same if not better things than men. Women see things in a different lens that give them the upper hand in certain situations.
I believe that the list is true to a certain extent. For example the higher wages and the family name part is very true I believe for many people. IT is a unfortunate fact that men do get higher wages than women even in Canada. In addition, women cannot carry the family name because once she is married her name could change to her husbands and if she decides not to change it, the child would automatically (set from society) get the father's last name, not the mother.
Great post Selina. To answer your first question, I do believe that tradition is not breakable. Traditions are something that we are so used to doing. Traditions are passed down from generations, and to suddenly wanting to change it, even if its for the own good would be hard. For example, putting up a christmas tree on christmas or having a thanksgiving on thanksgiving are traditions that are passed down. yes, we can change them around and all, but think about it would we really like the change?
ReplyDeleteI think if people continue to break away from tradition, eventually other people with follow to. Thus ending discrimination that's being put out against having girls for a child. It just takes time and hopefully in the future, china will be more accepting and understanding
DeleteIt’s hard to break from tradition b/c of the older generation (Parents, Grandparents) passed it down to next generation. They somehow lead us to think that: “If you are a girl, once you get married then you consider as someone else’s family. But if you are a boy, then you can carry the last name of family and able to take care of parent when they get older”. I do believe women are capable of doing thing better than men can. Because women is not just capable of doing the job, but they are also the person to keep family stay tight.
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