The Place of Women in Traditional Confucianism

Museum Exhibition of Women in Confucianism

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Museum Exhibition of Women in Confucianism

Gender is an important social construction that points to the relationships and interactions between men and women. The mention of gender triggers various notions on what it means to be a male or female especially based on roles, expectations, and cultural stereotypes. The world is inherently a patriarchal society where social, religious, political, and economic structures favor men to the detriment of women. In as much as women contribute to the growth of societies, they have been relegated to the background where they have limited opportunities to affirm their worth. There have been numerous attempts by feminist movements to challenge the status quo in a bid to create societies that embrace gender equality and women empowerment. The effects of these efforts are already being felt with societies realizing that women have so much potential to lead and compete alongside their male counterparts. Confucianism, a dominant philosophy in China is adopting the notion of women empowerment, an aspect that was vague in original doctrines. The modern Confucianism view of women is a topic of interest that deserves a museum exhibition as a way of understanding its social implications.

History of Confucianism 

Confucianism is a philosophical thought that was developed by Kong Fu Ze, otherwise known as Confucius in 551-479 B.C. This philosophy aligns with the Christian doctrine on loving one's neighbors by ensuring that one treats others the way he or she would like to be treated. Confucianism may have become apparent through Kong but it is traced back to the Zhou Dynasty which ruled ancient China from 1046 to 256 BCE making it the longest reigning dynasty 1 . During its reign, the philosophy of Confucianism revolved around the ideas of the well-being of others and respect in a bid to improve the outcomes of citizens. More so, the doctrine emphasized spiritual matters, most particularly the mandate that rulers had as well as the goodness of the divine being. These ideas were instrumental in uniting people to pave the way for a stable kingdom that would be free of rebellion on the part of the citizens. Confucius based his philosophy on the original one by establishing that it was a route for achieving a civil society. However, Confucius brought in a new philosophical dimension that insisted on the significance of human interactions and daily life as opposed to the divine and ruling authorities 2 . The emergent philosophy faced various hurdles that prevented it from being accepted until 140-87 BC during the reign of the Han dynasty.

Confucianism is based on the need to appreciate the wellbeing and character of others in a bid to achieve a just society where humans can thrive. Confucius developed the concept of social rituals including five types of relationships that allow individuals to interact in ways that would promote their well-being. The five relationships include those of husband and wife, ruler and subject, father and son, friend and friend as well as elder and younger brother 3 . He went ahead to establish that the main aspect of all these relationships is that every individual has distinct roles that if adhered to increase the likelihood for meaningful interactions. Confucianism philosophy that is based on human relationships asserts that humans are inherently good, but they are prone to immorality, in the absence of strong moral standards. However, a credible ethical code that is supported by rituals would elicit high levels of morality which in turn pave the way for peaceful coexistence and a prosperous state. Overall, Confucianism is informed by various ideas that were borrowed from Ancient China with Analects, Doctrine of the Mean, and Book of Rites by Confucius being authoritative sources of information.

Importance of Confucianism 

Confucianism is a crucial philosophical thought that has historical importance, considering that its teachings have become the basis for Chinese behavior and character. This philosophy is committed to achieving harmony by insisting on the need for social order, mercy as well as adherence to one's responsibilities. Confucianism is based on the ethical principle, ‘Ren’. Which is explicated as “Do not do to others what you do not want to be done to yourself” 4 . This principle is central in governing social interactions with Confucianism being a philosophy that views the family as the center of human existence. Family, in this case, predates individuals with the father being viewed as the ultimate head of this unit while oldest sons have obligations towards their parents. An insistence on harmony which is a result of adhering to one's obligations is an important aspect that makes sense even in modern societies. Confucianism asserted the need for all people to align with accepted norms and values that regulate interactions within social institutions as a way of achieving a perfect society 5 . This philosophy provides modern societies with a blueprint for achieving harmony, especially in a competitive world where every individual pursues selfish interests. Overall Confucianism advances the belief that humans can transform their lives and in turn the world if they cultivate themselves to adopt ethical behaviors.

The Place of Women in Traditional Confucianism Thought 

The Confucianism philosophy main focus is the cultivation of harmonious relationships among community members to guarantee prosperity. Women as part of the traditional society were expected to fulfill their obligations to enhance the well-being of all other members. Confucianism is not explicit on the place of women, thus paving the way for society to demean and oppress them. The only reference to women is found in the Analects by Confucius which states “women and servants are hard to deal with” 6 . The text goes ahead to state that men are likely to lose their reserve when near women or servants, an assertion that indicates the vagueness in gender perception in the traditional society. The decision to categorize women with servants is an indication that the society viewed them as belonging to lower ranks as opposed to being equals with their male counterparts. This passage that has been drawn from the Analects indicates that Confucianism viewed all women as members of different social classes, meaning that they were not comparable to men.

Confucius highlighted five social relationships that are crucial in the maintenance of harmony but only the husband and wife recognize women. However, it is important to note that this relationship is based on who possesses power with the husband being viewed as the dominant spouse in a patriarchal society. In this form of familiar relationship husbands wield and exert excessive power and control over their wives, an aspect that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture 7 . This skewed form of relationship that is grounded on one’s gender is the reason why male children are preferred to female ones. Male children are considered to possess the capacity to work on hard jobs, take care of the elderly as well as perform ancestral practices, unlike females who are viewed as the weaker gender. The insistence on masculinity is one of the reasons for widespread female infanticide, considering that girls are viewed as an economic burden. Rural families, in particular, would consider it tragic if no sons are born making Confucianism become associated with women's oppression. The philosophy comes out as a framework for subjugating women throughout their lives to their fathers, husbands, and sons in case of widowhood. Confucianism principles of concubinage, foot binding, and widow suicide are indicators of the level of subjugation that women were subjected to in a bid to achieve harmony. Footbinding in particular flourished in a society that was keen on justifying a hierarchy of familial and social class relations with the practice being viewed as strategies for achieving female propriety and chastity.

Prejudice against women is not a new concept considering that it existed in the Chinese cultural fabric even before Confucianism became a foundational philosophical thought. Confucianism reinforced this prejudice by turning the marriage system into a form of bondage where women were perceived as possessions by their fathers and husbands. This ideology managed to become the dominant social framework that was adopted by consecutive feudal dynasties as a codifier for Chinese women’s behavior. Confucianism thought managed to place the women at the bottom of the hierarchy and from here the society demanded obedience and exemplary behavior from them 8 . Furthermore, the philosophy empowered men to have multiple concubines and wives while restricting women to relating only with their husbands' close relatives or masters. The philosophy made it harder for women to excel by insisting that spiritual development began at home, an arena for enhancing social relations. However, most often these relationships are unequal which is mirrored by the natural hierarchy that is espoused between a ruler and a subject. In such an arrangement the women are subjected to the men in their lives including their fathers, husbands, sons, and eunuchs with no exception, an aspect that fueled oppression.

Changing Attitudes towards Women 

Patriarchal societies have managed to create a precedence for women precedence by ranking them lower than their male counterparts. Confucianism was founded upon these patriarchal tenets which further subjugated women by depicting them as half-humans and incapable of achieving without being aligned with women. The notion of women's oppression has received a lot of effort from progressive movements which believe that the culture of oppression needs an overhaul 9 . There have been visible efforts that are aimed at liberating women from backward and retrogressive cultures that deny them their rightful place in society. Modern thinkers challenge the Confucianism culture which has been the reference point for social interactions in China. The movement which could be traced many centuries back has achieved significant milestones in that there is a gradual perception regarding women. In the past, efforts were directed towards subjugating women in a bid to achieve social interactions that would guarantee harmony. Confucianism advanced the notion that the most effective way of creating moral societies is by having a natural hierarchy comprising of rulers and subjects with women assuming lower social roles 10 . However, these perceptions are bound to change owing to modern ideologies which establish that it is possible to achieve harmony without oppressing women. The subjugation of women denies them a chance to make significant contributions in their societies, despite having the capacity to do so.

The last two decades have been of particular importance in gender identity discourse since there have been changes in perception in the Confucianism philosophy. The reason for these changes lies in the fact that Confucianism is not an unchanging or stable essence of the society but rather it is dynamic. The dynamic nature of this philosophy means that it is open for review if there is a possibility that there would be an improvement in social interactions for the utilitarian purpose. Essentially, Confucianism entails practices, theories historical processes, and normative ideas which should be considered when examining the changing perspectives on women. The Chinese society has been experiencing a shift in social conditions which are in turn shaping both the production as well as dissemination of Confucian ideas. In particular, the society is open to a reinterpretation of this philosophy to establish new relationships that tie Confucian thought and everyday life. Confucian thoughts made a comeback into Chinese society in the 1990s at a time when women had made tremendous progress having gained powerful positions. Women just like their fellow men had been exposed to a new set of challenges that emanated from fast-changing norms and rapid economic development. This outcome has helped to change the prevalent and skewed attitudes that the traditional Confucianism framework had regarding the place of women.

Impact of Feminism on Confucian Culture 

Feminism is a vibrant movement that is geared towards liberating women from retrogressive and patriarchal notions that subjugate them to oppression. This movement espouses different ideologies to those that are ingrained in the Confucian culture that has been defining the place of women in China. In retrospect, feminism advocates for women's rights by establishing that they have the same capacity, despite their gender differences. Feminism conflicts with Confucianism, considering that it is inextricably linked with sexism as it allows for the subjugation of women based on their biological differences 11 . Nonetheless, there is a possibility that Confucianism may be detached from sexist undertones and in this way become a basis for reshaping the notion that society has regarding women. The rapid changes that China and the rest of the world are witnessed have brought about a change of perception about the place of women. Feminists have taken this opportunity to advocate for equal treatment for women since they too have the capacity of advancing their societies.

Confucianism espouses the idea of yin-yang which revolves around contrasting concepts of dark and light soft and hard as well as female and male. This notion which is rooted in gender connotations were designed to establish that different forces are at interplay in enhancing the world. In as much as the yin-yang principle is supposed to show the complementarity between men and women, it is restrictive and oppressive to females to a great extent 12 . Essentially, Confucianism prevents women from wielding influence outside the home in addition to advancing the notion that they are envious, weak, and subservient. Feminism accepts that Confucianism has managed to bound women by gender norms that are aligned with restrictive roles in a predetermined hierarchy. This reality means that there is a need to review the yin-yang concept which implies that men and women are equal and separate while this not the case in reality 13 . The review of the yin-yang principle would mean that women will have more options including the freedom to choose the professional paths that they desire. Enhanced freedom means that women can still have it all in that they can combine family and career without compromises. The feminist movement not only focuses on women but also on men by eliminating the notion that they should be the sole decision-makers as it has been outlined in traditional Confucianism thought.

Modern Confucianism and Women Empowerment 

Confucianism philosophy was founded on gender inequality with women being viewed as lesser humans without the ability to run affairs outside of their homes. However, these retrogressive thoughts are being eroded as societies realize that women have a lot of potentials. Modern Confucianism thought which has been influenced by feminism movements is keen on empowering women so that they work alongside their male counterparts. There is a prevalent cultural interpretation that is based on Neixun, a Confucian classic which was written by

Empress Xu. I. The empress rejected the prevailing gender practices and biases that in turn caused women to be viewed and morally inferior and of low status 14 . Instead, she establishes the need for women's empowerment in three areas: a balanced approach to power relations, the exercise of one’s agency, and the provision of requisite means to effect change. These aspects lay the foundation for reviewing the Confucian philosophy to ensure that it adopts a modern approach in the gender discourse.

The issue of women empowerment is not a new movement as such, considering that it has been there although it has been a subtle and overt notion. Prior writings that laid the foundation for Confucianism were not explicit regarding the place of women but they were viewed as an integral part of society. In particular, the earlier philosophy emphasized the need for demonstrating love towards one’s neighbors by retaining them in the right way 15 . This connotation points to covert equality between males and females while at the same time creating room for misinterpretation. However, over the years, favorable interpretations have emerged with feminist movements concentrating their efforts on the Chinese belief in gender mutuality. This belief advances the assertion that while men and women perform different social roles, they are moral equals. For this reason, advocates for women empowerment underscore the need for providing young girls with sufficient educational resources as well as providing them with female role models and mentors.

Efforts to improve the well-being of women who ascribe to the Confucianism philosophy have yielded significant results as they are more likely to be viewed as equal citizens. However, there are a few hurdles that are yet to be crossed, considering that these societies are largely particular. South Korea, one of the nations that live by the Confucian doctrine is an example of mixed reactions when it comes to accepting gender equality. Currently, there are more female graduates than male, but their employment rate is at 65.2% while those of me stand at 69% 16 . These statistics are indicative of nations that are eager to accept women's empowerment but the rigid Confucianism structures are still dictating their fate. Large corporations are still hesitant to employ women since they are still considered inefficient and incompetent despite having the requisite educational and professional qualifications.

Women empowerment is not practical owing to deep-seated stereotypes that view them as only capable of running domestic affairs. The Confucian cult of domesticity advances the notion that ideal women are those who are capable of cooking for and looking after their husbands 17 . This ingrained perception that has shaped the Chinese society since this philosophy was introduced conflicts with the call for women empowerment. In particular, women who manage to defy these stereotypes to compete with men in the corporate world are often stigmatized and are in turn disrespected. The philosophy encourages women to be timid since this would the only way to achieve a unified society that paves the way for social, political, and economic development. The different stances associated with Confucianism and feminism disadvantage women as there is no end in sight when it comes to their empowerment.

Reasons why the Topic of Confucianism should be exhibited 

The topic of Confucianism deserves to be exhibited in a museum since it provides readers with crucial insights regarding gender connotations in traditional and modern society. Women have been very instrumental in shaping human societies, but they continue to be viewed as lesser beings as compared to their male counterparts. The exhibit would trace the history of gender discrimination, especially in the Chinese context which was initially a matriarchal society. Confucianism became the basis for establishing a patriarchal society that brought forth new rules that would guide how men and women would relate. Confucianism would be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) as a doctrine for promoting the well-being of the kingdom. The exhibit would then focus on Kong Fu Ze who is popularly known as Confucius who put the initial ideas together to create the Confucianism philosophy. The resultant philosophical thought was an attempt to build a better society by highlighting the need for effective social interactions. While Confucianism was aimed at improving the well-being of societies, it paved the way for women's oppression by failing to explicitly outline their roles. An insistence on natural hierarchies that are aligned with the ruler-subject framework disadvantages women considering that they are ranked lower than their male counterparts.

Nature of the Exhibit 

The exhibit on Confucianism as it relates to women would take the form of a narrative that outlines chronological occurrences as they pertain to Confucianism. The chronological presentation would capture crucial aspects that point to women's discrimination in the Chinese context. This exhibit would include an accompanying text that explains the essence of the presentation as well as its historical and cultural significance.

Accompanying Text 

This exhibition traces the history of Confucianism a philosophical thought that is traced to 1046-256 BCE during the reign of the Zhou Dynasty. The reason for including this exhibit in this presentation is to trace how Confucianism has contributed to gender discrimination. This philosophy purported that women and men played complementary roles in a bid to achieve harmony and social well-being. However, the failure to explicitly highlight the role that women played as well as placing them in the lower category with slaves paved the way for discrimination. Confucianism philosophy has been the Chinese cultural background in defining gender relations for a long time. Nonetheless, there has been a shift in attitudes owing to rapid economic development that has facilitate the input of women to survive the new demands. Moreover, the feminist moment has made significant contributions towards changing the perspectives that Confucianism had managed in inculcate in the society. The exhibit outlines the various milestones that the movement has achieving in advocating for gender equality and women empowerment.

Merchandise that will go along with the Exhibit 

The exhibit on women as viewed through the Confucian lenses is an attempt to depict the progress that has been achieved since the founding of this philosophy. For many centuries women have been relegated to the background since they have been viewed as possessions to be used like men, please. More so, women have been domesticated, meaning that they are not entitled to pursue interests that are outside their home. Nonetheless, there has been a shift in this notion with societies realizing that women can still pursue careers without compromising their domestic duties. One of the merchandise that will be exhibited alongside the narrative is the ‘finger heart’, a Korean symbol of peace and victory. This symbol aligns with the exhibit as it points to the possibility of victory for women who have been subjugated by retrogressive philosophies and cultural ideologies.

Conclusion 

Museum exhibitions are a great way of capturing historical, economic, artistic, political, and social realities that define human societies. Oppression of women is one of the issues that require an exhibition especially as it relates to philosophical thoughts that have continued to define interactions. Confucianism, a Chinese ideology that has roots in the Zhou Dynasty has managed to oppress women by ranking them lower in the social hierarchy that is largely patriarchal. In particular, the philosophy does not outline women's roles, despite designing the yin-yang concept that purports that men and women are complementary. The failure to be explicit means that the philosophy creates loopholes that are used to restrict women from participating in social affairs. The topic makes for an excellent exhibit since it allows for the tracing of Confucianism from the time of inception to today with the influence of feminism. Today, women have more leeway of making decisions and work alongside their male counterparts while still handling their domestic roles.

Bibliography

Bonneuil, Noel, and Younga Kim. "Precarious Employment among South Korean Women: Is Inequality Changing with Time?" The Economic and Labour Relations Review 28, no. 1 (2017): 20-40.

Deng, Jun, and Craig A. Smith. "The rise of New Confucianism and the Return of Spirituality to Politics in Mainland China." China Information 32, no. 2 (2018): 294-314.

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Tan, Charlene. "A Confucian Interpretation of Women’s Empowerment." Journal of Gender Studies 12, no. 2 (2021): 1-11.

1 Sun Lei. "The Relation between Confucianism and Chinese Politics: History, Actuality, and Future," Journal of Law and Religion 35, no. 1 (2020): 139.

2 Sun Lei, 140.

3 Frohlich Thomas. Tang Junyi: Confucian Philosophy and the Challenge of Modernity. (Brill, 2017):15.

4 Sun Lei. The Relation between Confucianism and Chinese Politics, 140.

5 Sun Lei, 142.

6 Sun Ann, Confucianism as a World Religion: Confucianism as a World Religion: Contested Histories and Contemporary Realities (Princeton University, 2015). 138.

7 Sun Ann, 139.

8 Sun Lei. The Relation between Confucianism and Chinese Politics , 142.

9 Sun Ann, Confucianism as a World Religion, 142.

10 Sun Ann, 143.

11 Deng, Jun, and Craig A. Smith. "The Rise of New Confucianism and the Return of Spirituality to Politics in Mainland China," China information 32, no. 2 (2018): 297.

12 Sun Ann, Confucianism as a World Religion , 142.

13 Lee Insook. "A Feminist Critique of the Concept of Harmony: A Confucian Approach," Journal of Pastoral Theology 28, no. 3 (2018):140.

14 Charlene Tan. "A Confucian Interpretation of Women’s Empowerment," Journal of Gender Studies 12, no. 2 (2021):4.

15 Frohlich Thomas. Tang Junyi: Confucian Philosophy and the Challenge of Modernity :12.

16 Bonneuil, Noel, and Younga Kim. "Precarious Employment among South Korean Women: Is Inequality Changing with Time?" The Economic and Labour Relations Review 28, no. 1 (2017):22.

17 Lau, Chi Sum Garfield. "The Evolution of Chinese Women: From Confucian Obligations to Modern Resistance," in Chinese Culture in the 21st Century and its Global Dimensions (Springer, 2020) 6.