The Status of Women

The ancient Chinese character for “woman” inscribed on bones or tortoise shells from the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC–1046 BC) takes the form of a woman who is on her knees with a broom in hand. Tidying, cleaning, nursing, weaving, and silkworm-breeding all were basic domestic responsibilities of women. Thus, the form of the character itself provides a true and vivid portrayal of Chinese women’s social standing for the 2,000 years prior to the abolishment of the feudal system in 1911. However, like many things in China, the status of women has changed substantially over the last century.