Urbanization and Women’s Social Status: Progress and Challenges in China

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship between urbanization and women's social status by analyzing China's case from 2010 to 2022. The paper first analyzed how the conditions have improved in aspects of education, pay, health, and gender conceptions, then identified challenges that still exist, including underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, reduced employment, unhealthy mental conditions, and domestic violence. According to the challenges and based on successful cases in other parts of the world, the promotion of gender-sensitive education, encouragement to react to gender discrimination, promotion of social support, and provision of domestic violence support programs are suggested. The analysis of China's case on the problem showed that urbanization influenced women's social status both positively and negatively. Urbanization provides women with a wide variety of opportunities for personal development and independence attainment but may expose them to mental health issues, reduced employment, and domestic violence. Problems including the limited number of women working in STEM fields remain unsolved due to cultural norms and conventional gender conceptions.