In the past, Chinese society was very male-centered. Chinese women were treated less than men. They were expected to subordinate to men, such as their father, husband, and even son. One of the harsh things they had to go through as women was the "foot binding." In the beginning, this custom was practiced only by women from the upper class. However, poor people started practicing foot binding later as well in hopes of improving their social status. At that time, foot binding was considered as the "beauty" in China. The story behind this practice was for men to be able to control women more easily. Since women's feet were bounded, they were not really able to walk around freely. Instead, they were confined in their room and worked on simple tasks such as knitting. This way, their lives revolved around serving their husbands and staying at home. Another benefit of foot binding for men was that there was less chance for women to gather together and protest to improve their quality of life. Foot binding was such a bizarre and terrible custom which chinese women had to go through for the sake of their social status. Women in China - "Foot Binding"
In the past, Chinese society was very male-centered. Chinese women were treated less than men. They were expected to subordinate to men, such as their father, husband, and even son. One of the harsh things they had to go through as women was the "foot binding." In the beginning, this custom was practiced only by women from the upper class. However, poor people started practicing foot binding later as well in hopes of improving their social status. At that time, foot binding was considered as the "beauty" in China. The story behind this practice was for men to be able to control women more easily. Since women's feet were bounded, they were not really able to walk around freely. Instead, they were confined in their room and worked on simple tasks such as knitting. This way, their lives revolved around serving their husbands and staying at home. Another benefit of foot binding for men was that there was less chance for women to gather together and protest to improve their quality of life. Foot binding was such a bizarre and terrible custom which chinese women had to go through for the sake of their social status. China's Social Structure
Social class refers to the distribution of people into social positions of distinctions. China has gone through many changes in its social structure over time. After 1993: society was divided in several distinct groups, peasants, state and collective-sector workers, professionals, and cadres with administrative and managerial authority.
The number of cadres in the society increased by millions over the years. The cadres, party members and state professional have become the math body of the capitalism class.
Statistics show that in February 2003 29% of the capitalist were communist members and party members.
The majority of china’s populations do not have access to the best of china’s recent improvements. Most modern Chinese young adults do not go to college (entrance is obtained by passing a National Exam –The Gaoka).
In the year 2000 less than 50% of the population finished junior high, less than 15 % finish high school or vocational school.
In modern China the distinction is made between urban and rural dwellers. Moving from rural to urban status is very difficult. Urban life is comes with better living standards and opportunities for such advantages as education are much better in the cities. Incomes and living standards in China's cities are two to three times higher than in the countryside. The majority of the rural population makes poor income except and have less access to food and education.
Chinese Stereotypes in Western Society
The United States of America is made up of many different cultures, religions, nationalities, and races. Chinese people are one of those many different cultures and nationalities that reside here in the United States, and as there are stereotypes for every culture, religion and nationality, there are many different stereotypes that are placed upon the Chinese people as well. Some of these stereotypes are deeming, absurd, insulting and some might occasionally even be true.
Many different stereotypes exist, such as Chinese people (all Asians in general) are very smart, they are especially very good in math, science, and are the students who are always at the top of the class, receiving the highest grades, and "messing up the curve". Chinese people are also supposed to all know kung fu because of all of the martial arts films in Hollywood. The most common stereotype for Chinese people (and all Asians) is that they are all really bad drivers. There is also the stereotype of being called the "banana" yellow on the outside and white on the inside and they are also seen as always being a materialistically rich culture.
The Chinese culture overall is stereotyped as a very ancient, exotic culture that has not changed and it is entrenched in the past and the people were seen as the "model minority", being hardworking, intelligent, productive, unlike most other "minorities".
Here is a video that was done by a young Chinese guy from Toronto, who decided to show people that not all Chinese stereotypes are true.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-877443643928876680&q=chinese+in+armour&pl=true
Many different stereotypes exist, such as Chinese people (all Asians in general) are very smart, they are especially very good in math, science, and are the students who are always at the top of the class, receiving the highest grades, and "messing up the curve". Chinese people are also supposed to all know kung fu because of all of the martial arts films in Hollywood. The most common stereotype for Chinese people (and all Asians) is that they are all really bad drivers. There is also the stereotype of being called the "banana" yellow on the outside and white on the inside and they are also seen as always being a materialistically rich culture.
The Chinese culture overall is stereotyped as a very ancient, exotic culture that has not changed and it is entrenched in the past and the people were seen as the "model minority", being hardworking, intelligent, productive, unlike most other "minorities".
Here is a video that was done by a young Chinese guy from Toronto, who decided to show people that not all Chinese stereotypes are true.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-877443643928876680&q=chinese+in+armour&pl=true
Chinese Journalist's Murder Covered Up
Ou Zhihang, a famous chinese journalist and TV host, was murdered just before China's 2008 Olympics. The cause, reason, and motive have been covered up and the news never made it to the big media outlets. The Chinese government feared this would cast their country in a negative light. Above pictures were the reasons for her death.Age Controversy Remains with China's 2008 Olympic Female Gymnists
China's women's gymnists ended up capturing the gold with their lean and petite bodies. Under Olympic regulations, they must turn sixteen years old during the year they compete. Yet, people started doubting they were really sixteen years old. The truth was being questioned since information presented differed from Chinese online records and local newspaper articles. Age fixing in Chinese sports has been in the news before. Is this a continuous occurrence?
Girl Lip Synced in Olympics' Opening Ceremony in China
Wearing a red dress and pigtails, Lin Miaoke charmed a worldwide audience when she sang "Ode to Motherland" in the 2008 Olympics' Opening Ceremony in China. According to BBC News, the singer was actually Yang Peiy, who was not allowed to appear because she was not considered "flawless" as Lin. The show's musical director said Lin was used because it was in the best interest of the country to use a girl who had a good image, voice, deemed flawless in terms of her facial expression, and the great feeling that she could give people. Lin Miaoke was being called "smiling angel" and became a media celebrity because of her performance. According to Chinese news reports, Yang Peiy said she did not regret the decision and was satisfied to have her voice featured.
"Are they really free to speak their minds?"
The Chinese government tried to make sure that there were no demonstrations during the 2008 Olympics, rounding up many political prisoners to be temporarily held until after the games. They arrested political prisoners and had others sign papers stating that they would not congregate until after the Olympic games. China managed to silence most of the oppostion during the games and give the impression of a sterile clean environment.
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