1) Feminism is the advocacy for political, social, and economic equality for women, including women’s suffrage and job equality. A feminist is someone who supports and advocates for feminism. Given this definition, do you think that Mao Zedong was a feminist?
Mao was a feminist under this definition. He recognized the contribution and importance of women and respected them, which I think is different from the traditionalists. However, I don’t think he was pure feminist because he was reared and deeply influenced by Chinese traditional culture, a typical male chauvinist ideology, but maybe he was different because he made feminist reforms.
2) After Mao and People's Republic of China, has women's role in China improved?
Yes, without a doubt, it’s been confirmed by many elders. In fact, I think in some parts of China, especially big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, many families are administered by women instead of men, which is definitely a big change from what it was like before Mao and the PRC, where women had bound feet and did not work.
3) If so, do you have any specific examples of how women's role in China has improved? For example, this could be about how a family member or even you have more opportunities financially and socially after the PRC.
I will take my uncle’s family as an example, because it’s so typical. My grandma was busy with household chores all the time while my grandpa would relax at home. Though they loved each other, my grandma never administered the funds and always listened to her husband on important events. This was however before the PRC and Mao. Afterward the PRC, women had more rights and now my uncle's wife has an education and is literate. Now like other women in China, she has the same rights as men.
Mao was a feminist under this definition. He recognized the contribution and importance of women and respected them, which I think is different from the traditionalists. However, I don’t think he was pure feminist because he was reared and deeply influenced by Chinese traditional culture, a typical male chauvinist ideology, but maybe he was different because he made feminist reforms.
2) After Mao and People's Republic of China, has women's role in China improved?
Yes, without a doubt, it’s been confirmed by many elders. In fact, I think in some parts of China, especially big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, many families are administered by women instead of men, which is definitely a big change from what it was like before Mao and the PRC, where women had bound feet and did not work.
3) If so, do you have any specific examples of how women's role in China has improved? For example, this could be about how a family member or even you have more opportunities financially and socially after the PRC.
I will take my uncle’s family as an example, because it’s so typical. My grandma was busy with household chores all the time while my grandpa would relax at home. Though they loved each other, my grandma never administered the funds and always listened to her husband on important events. This was however before the PRC and Mao. Afterward the PRC, women had more rights and now my uncle's wife has an education and is literate. Now like other women in China, she has the same rights as men.