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Women's Roles In Ancient China And Modern China

Decent Essays

Ancient China, or Imperial China, is a classical civilization with more than three thousand years of history. Even today, it is one of the fastest growing economies with a population of over one billion. Three institutions; family, politics and religion, influenced Ancient China’s identity during the first century BCE of the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty began in 206 BCE, lasting for four centuries, when it ended in 220 AD. During the first century BCE of the Han Dynasty, it was classified as the Western Han Dynasty, which was the early years of the Han (Indiana University 1). The three institutions that have affected Ancient China during this time period range from a women’s significance in society, to the Chinese Emperor’s iron rule, to the different bonds in Confucianism. The impact that these institutions have had on Imperial and modern China is great.

Women’s roles was held less significant than men’s roles in Imperial China. This was seen in homes, and in some instances with Imperial wives and concubines, this was seen in the Forbidden City palaces. In the patriarchal society of China, the eldest men of the house tended to hold the most power in an ordinary Chinese family (Abraham). Sons were also prioritized in a Chinese household due to their physical and economic ability to contribute to their family, as well as their right to carry their family’s name (Abraham) . Daughters were often the …show more content…

These three institutions helped shape the patriarchal monarchy of Ancient China. It displayed a strong gender based hierarchy, a dictator like society, and the strong respect given to elders. Today, women in China are no longer treated as a last priority, emperors no longer rule China, and Confucianism has helped many families worldwide to learn to respect their elders. And from those three institutions, Imperial, and even modern, China, have

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