Women Progress In The 20th Century - Essay Example

ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRESS OF WOMEN IN THE 20TH CENTURY: CHINA, JAPAN AND KOREA ANALYSIS OF WOMEN PROGRESS IN THE 20TH CENTURY: CHINA, JAPAN AND KOREA INTRODUCTION Women represent a significant portion of any country’s population. Suppression in the early times led to hampered progress of women in most cultures, particularly the Asian and Middle Eastern region. However, with time the mindset of the people changed and women learnt to stand up for their rights. Creation of equal employment opportunities, female-inclined legislations, women facilitation practices etc. are some of the many developments over time that helped women become a recognized, respected and equally important part of the population. The progress has been slow world over as the change of behaviors and mindsets is not a feat to be achieved overnight. That being said, modernization is represented by the openness of thinking, a determinant of which is giving women their rights and opportunities. The pioneers of this practice were the developed countries who were able to bring about a worldwide change by being the role models for the developing world. Replicating their policies, the acceptance of women rights became a worldwide phenomenon and has now become a deeply entrenched part of the culture and legislation of many countries of the world. Female education, health, employment and social facilities enable women to put their resources to effective use, becoming a productive part of a country and its economy. This paper sheds light on three major countries and the progress of women in these countries during the 20th century. The reason for selecting China, Japan and Korea is due to their numerous similarities like belief in Confucianism, a philosophy that promotes use of virtue and education for the establishment of a social hierarchy. After the death of the Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, the belief was accepted by the Japanese and Koreans but with many major and slight distortions like the notion that women should be suppressed or are below men. For example, Xun-zi, a philosopher responsible for spreading the teachings in Korea and Japan claimed that women were inherently evil beings (Sscnet.ucla.edu, 2014). Thus, a study of these three countries will reveal the changes that took place during the 20th century in the context of female development. WOMEN IN CHINA China went through a nationwide reform in the 20th century. Plagued by the traditional pressures and cultural values, it was difficult for women to embrace freedom and modernity immediately. However, the internal rebellions, political changes, introduction of new reforms etc., brought an end to the dynasty system. China strived to step up and gain its position in the international arena, for which they had to embrace the inevitable, modernity. Chinese scholars believed that in order for their survival in the modern world they had to form national citizenry which focused upon modernity and nationalism. Modernity suggested the acceptance of women as an important part of the process by acknowledging their significant contribution to the upholding of their cultures, traditions and the economy. Women thus, played a key role in shaping the modern China of today which is known for its strong societal and economic standing (Rudolph, n.d.). Marriage laws supported individual choice more than suppressed obligation to marry and the family structure changes highly. With women becoming more independent, the joint family system was replaced by a highly individualistic living culture with small families. The one child law gave women more time to do something other than child rearing and thus, many resorted to completing their education and seeking active careers. However, culture did play a significant role in the re-shaping of the one-child rule to a two-child one for the purpose of obtaining a son in a family (Hershatter, 2007). This showed that the shackles of male superiority could not be broken free from, entirely. The barriers to their progress existed as a result of the entrenched traditional Confucian system, slowing down their rate of development. WOMEN IN JAPAN Women subordination in Japan was a deep rooted phenomenon that was supported even by the government (Christensen, 2014). A women before the late 19th or early 20th century was expected to submit to men of their families whether they were father, brothers or sons. However, the emergence of feminism was attributed to the rising opportunities and western influence. With the majority of the men at war and a slow economy, women started to avail the many opportunities that emerged, the major ones being the acquisition of education and entering the workforce. Other than that, the American occupation during the time of war changed the societal perception greatly. Proposing modernity against the supposed feudalistic culture, they emphasized that in order for Japan to rise again, they will have to adopt true democracy according to the American model. In 1970, during the anti-Vietnam war phase, Japan saw its first feminist movement that was an extension of the global feminist movements prompting female activism and demand for equal rights opportunities. Women entered politics and made their voice heard, some of the major political groups being The Tokyo Federation of Womens Organizations for discussing women participation in employment, society, government and labor etc. the red wave society that focused on eradication of capitalism as it supported female oppression, denial of women rights and led to the practice of slavery and prostitution. Breaking cultural barriers like taking the husband’s name as a surname after marriage, blindly abiding by male orders, use of voluntary birth control and not being given equal working opportunities, were highly criticized by the feminists in the country, prompting the adoption of the modern world practices that accepted women as equal and valuable members of the society. Depiction of women oppression and rebellions through art, literature and music was also an important part of this century as it allowed spreading awareness for female rights and instigated a country wide demand for equal and fair treatment. WOMEN IN KOREA When the East Asian countries were voluntarily or forced to let go of the rigid practice of Confucianism in order to embrace growth and modernity, Korea also saw a feminist revolution. Previously governed by the Confucian teachings that suggested gender segregation from an early age and virtues like not re-marrying after husband’s death, fulfilling the physical needs of the family and being judged on the basis of adherence to the stereotypical roles assigned for them, women led a highly suppressed and discriminated life as compared to Korean men. Under threat of western aggression, Korea gave way to feminism in the 20th century too. Translation of feminist literature, emergence of feminist writers and the trickledown effect of the feminist movements from all around the world prompted the rise of women status in the Korean region (Hyun, 2004). Under Japanese colonial rule from 1910-1945, Korea looked at feminism as a step towards modernization, a feat important for the colonized societies to recover from domination. Women were encouraged to gain education and work in order to contribute to the national development without letting go of their traditional roles of fulfilling family obligations. Political participation of women in the early 20th century supported the nationalist movement and many writings prove female struggle during this period as an important step towards the betterment of the societal structure and values, which were sabotaged by the application of strict Confucian beliefs (Chang & Kim, 2005). CONCLUSION After the death of the Chinese philosopher, the theory of Confucianism became highly distorted in practice. In many instances it was used to suppress women, mistreat them, degrade them and deny them of their rights. In many cultures females were deemed as evils of the society and were made to submit to male domination and brutal acts like prostitutions, slavery and rape. With modernization and greater level of interest shown by the west in the discriminatory cultures of the world, the pressure to discontinue the practice of Confucianism and accept women as equal and respectable members of the society became highly prevalent. Their status as opinioned and value generating members of the society enabled them to gain education and pursue diverse careers, contributing to the economic well-being of countries like China, Japan and Korea. Another major contributor to the modern status of the women is the aggressive feminist movements worldwide that had their tremors felt in far east countries as well, making the women aware and adamant on obtaining their due status in the society. REFERENCES: Chang, P., & Kim, U. (2005). Womens experiences and feminist practices in South Korea (1st ed.). Seoul, Korea: Asian Center for Womens Studies. Christensen,, K. (2014). Women’s Suffrage in Japan in the 20th Century « Women Suffrage and Beyond. Womensuffrage.org. Retrieved 7 May 2014, from http://womensuffrage.org/?p=389 Hershatter, G. (2007). Women in Chinas long twentieth century (1st ed.). Berkeley: Global, Area, and International Archive. Hyun, T. (2004). Writing women in Korea (1st ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Rudolph, J. (n.d.). Chinese Women and Modernity. Sscnet.ucla.edu,. (2014). Retrieved 7 May 2014, from http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/cheng/ans2.htm Read More