Tag: communist party

A Taste of News: How women fight

As many in my direct circle know, I read quite some news. I try to mention at least once per day that I read something in the news, casually, in a conversation. And since commentary and reviewing is something else I like to do, I thought of starting a series where I write my thoughts about an article I read. A lot of them will be related to China, since that is one of the topics I follow most closely.

Young Chinese Women Are Defying the Communist Party

New York Times

When I saw this article passing by, the name sounded familiar to me. A quick search turned out that I reviewed one of her books which I found enjoyable, but also slightly simplifying key things.

I have this feeling from time to time when reading, hearing or viewing things that it cannot be as easy as it sounds. That is not to be a buzzkill or a cynic, although I enjoy playing both these roles at select times, sometimes there is a bigger story to tell.

That is not to say that I totally disagree with the writer. It is moreso that the things I pointed out in a previous blog arenot as easily conquered. It is precisely because Chinese women, or almost all women for that matter, are not that pliable and obedient to immediately act according to the party line.

That birth rates keep on declining just as the number of marriages, certainly show the increased independence of Chinese women. At the same time are many barriers still up and new ones being created.

It is always heartening to read about fighting spirits, how people defy expectations. Actively row against the stream. At the same time, it is the exceptionalism of these stories that make it difficult to have faith in the future.

But that is probably what the Communist Party and most authoritarian regimes count on. It would be nice for things just to be a bit simpler sometimes.

A Taste of News: Chinese female roles

As many in my direct circle know, I read quite some news. I try to mention at least once per day that I read something in the news, casually, in a conversation. And since commentary and reviewing is something else I like to do, I thought of starting a series where I write my thoughts about an article I read. A lot of them will be related to China, since that is one of the topics I follow most closely.

China’s Male Leaders Signal to Women That Their Place Is in the Home

New York Times

Being a Chinese woman has never seemed easy to me. When I lived in China, I got a taste of it in some situations and it does feel like the attitude switches between extremes and also clear age shifts.

Reading that there is more emphasis from senior Chinese leadership on women’s roles in the family seems to me similar to the movement of the ‘tradwives’. It feels in many places there is a wish for stable, clear roles that make you feel like life is a little less complicated. At the same time, the Chinese characteristics are clear in that there is a distinct top-down dynamic. Of course leadership is in the front seat when they want to ensure that everyone aims for the right direction.

At the same time, I think it is often overblown how much the leadership influences these kinds of developments. We see that Chinese women have become more and more independent, even subverting expectations about birth preference in some cases.

And even though it may seem the party is actively steering people, it is definitely not a one-on-one influence. Sure, I also got questions if my parents were not apalled at the fact that I do not want children, and I got my fair share of comments that I should not be single in my late twenties. At the same time, Chinese people are resourceful and practical. If you are an intelligent and capable woman, you will generally have opportunities to capitalize on that. So it will be interesting to see if this government stance will develop into something more tangible like an actual campaign or if it just remains a message for the general public to hear.