Growing up in the Mao era

Depictions of the Maoist period have always been controversial. In their memoirs, Chinese women writers in the West (for example see Chang 1993, Min 1994, Mu 2002) have told stories of political persecution and sexual repression to a Western audience. In stark contrast to these ‘dark age’ narratives, a group of Chinese female scholars who grew up in the Mao era but are now living in the United States have also presented their own memories of their childhood, recounting some experiences as being especially valuable to their individual growth (see Zhong et al. 2001). In academic discussions, Western feminists were first impressed by the state’s attempt to boost women’s status but then became critical of the gendered realities. However, Chinese feminists are more positive than their Western counterparts about Maoist efforts, attributing the inadequacy of women’s liberation to the low level of China’s productive capacity (see Li 1994).