Nap Time Rocks!

Well, if you look at it at a feminist angle.

It has come as a surprise when China rose from its Communist ashes and is now seriously contemplating world domination — in economic terms at least. I was impressed by the Chinese way of doing business since they seem to have conquered every corner of the world with their infamous “Made in China” tag. You see it on National Geographic Channel (which has a featured show on China with the same title), on world news, in the world stock exchange market.

All this they do with so much low profile, that when a writer/economist who was doing an article on China’s economic rise asked the Chinese people what they think of her title, “China: a fragile superpower” (I can’t remember the entire title), the Chinese people simply said, “we’re not a superpower”. (As opposed to the Americans she asked who said, “fragile? they’re not fragile).

All the world economists and political analysts say that China is the next big thing. And the forecast of it being the next global power is “no longer a forecast, but a reality“. (I really enjoyed reading that article from Newsweek). The thing is, also in that same issue there was an article about how women in China are faring amidst the economic boom of the coutnry. Being such a conservative race (Confucius has said it himself, “a woman with virtue, has no talent”), the Chinese way of thinking about women possessing the upper hand has not exactly changed. For most conservatives, if women are financially equipped, it’s “destructive”. It’s true though, that women have been given equal rights as women since the liberation from Mao Zedong’s restricting, albeit destructive, ways. Among these changes were granting women professionals equal salaries as their male counterparts.

But paradigms don’t shift overnight. Women are still believed to be dedicated to the home and their families. A good woman was said to be one who puts her family first before career and self-improvement (in other ways). Huang Hung, the author of that particular article, recounts that she had promoted one of her female staff who eventually declined the offer (it was a pretty high position). She said that she didn’t want her husband to think that she was prioritizing work over their family. What about self-fulfillment you say? Might as well scoff at the idea. A lot of Chinese women have been asking for advice from Huang’s magazine column (I’m not sure which is it, Time Out or iLook which are both published in China) about dating. Apparently, men find it intimadating that most women now have college and post-graduate degrees and may be as successful, if not more than, as they are.

I know a lot of feminists will want to disagree with China’s prevailing disposition towards successful women. Personally I think any successful nation must recognize its human, male and female alike, potential for it to be able to take advantage. That’s why this next world power is still “fragile” as it has been described and needs to work out its kingks (this among many) first before it can rightfully claim the title. But I won’t be counting on hearing of female government leaders yet for China.

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picture courtesy of http://laurytah.deviantart.com/art/China-45691020