Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: News

Although China's modernization has affected women positively by providing new educational opportunities and the creation of a new middle class, the modernization has also had negative effects.

Oct. 29, "Shattered Identity and Marketing Femininity: The Changing Experiences of Women during China's Economic Modernization" was presented in YJean Chambers. University of San Diego Associate Professor of History Yi Sun discussed how the modernization and industrialization of China affects Chinese women.

According to Sun, discrimination has increased in the workplace, which includes unequal pay and forced early retirement. Furthermore, domestic violence has also increased.

During the modernization period - which mainly occurred after the death of Mao Zedong, the first chairman of the Communist Party of China - the view of women went from "iron girls" to "silk ladies."

As Sun said, the term "silk lady" refers to the increased focus on a woman's outer appearance as instead of her inner beauty. Sun continued by mentioning that women are hired in many businesses based on their young ages, fair complexions, and beautiful features.

Along with the emphasis on outer beauty, Sun said a second wave of concubines is occurring in China. A concubine is a sex slave, which, as Sun states, can be seen in the film "Raise the Red Lantern." According to Sun, the taking of a concubine indicates wealth and makes an individual more marketable.

Sun also mentioned many of China's young women who begin working have to sign a "youth contract" in order to begin their jobs. The youth contract says that young women cannot get married or have children within five years of their hiring. Sun said that many women have complained about this because of violations to their reproductive rights.

Continued...

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