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.
Women in rural communities are also affected by modernization.
"Two million people are a part of China's 'floating population' of migrant workers," Sun said.
Many of these workers do much of China's hazardous work, especially in the "Town of Electronic Wastes," where the United States sends used and broken electronics for cleanup. According to Sun, individuals who work in these areas have a low happiness index.
Another aspect of China's growth affecting woman is the flourishing sex industry. Although some women choose to go into this field, Sun said that many of China's sex workers are forced into the trade due to laws that do not protect women from these jobs. Sun also said that prostitution is one of the leading causes of suicide among young Chinese women and that the trade brings great shame to anyone who partakes in it. Those involved in the porn industry often are subjected to "The Color Yellow," clothing that marks them as sex workers.
However, Sun mentioned hope for some women trying to cope with the modernization. For those looking for someone to talk to about any struggles they may be having, there is the Beijing Women's Hotline that women can call to discuss issues of abuse and discrimination. The Federation of Women is also working toward women's equality.
According to Sun, some people say the discrimination against women is temporary; it will end once the transition from Communist to Modern China is complete.
Currently, Sun is completing her manuscript entitled "Confucianism, Communism, and Commercialism-Mapping the Changing Political Culture and Women's Rights in Contemporary China," which covers more of what she presented in the Oct. 29 presentation.
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