Femininity and masculinity in Chinese culture

Abstract

n traditional Chinese culture, the concepts of femininity and masculinity are “plural categories” which are based on family and society, hence they are not clearly distinguished nor opposite to each other. In ancient times, people valued the power of women, channelling it by saying that women should devote themselves to benefiting the state. Meanwhile, society oppressed women by limiting them to their marital homes in order to eradicate men’s unconscious fear of the destructive side of feminine power. On the other hand, for Chinese men, sexual pleasure and aggression were unwelcome, while the mother–son relationship was most important within the family, and comradeship and brotherhood between men another important aspect of relationships. Profoundly mutual relationships were not encouraged between men and women in ancient China. Even until now, all men and women and their intimate relationships have been in the service of politics. The interests of the family and state are placed above individual interests. However, the one-child policy, as the product of government decision based on population numbers rather than human factors, and implemented by coercion, has produced a generation of empowered daughters and “little emperors” who increasingly value and appreciate individualism. The new generations must learn how to develop new forms of mutuality between the partners, with evolving implications for masculinity and femininity.