Dear readers, have you ever heard of the term "seven outs"?This is a common term in ancient Chinese society, and it represents seven reasons why a husband can legally divorce his wife. However, with the development of the times and the change of concepts, this term has been forgotten by most people. Today, let's walk into ancient times and explore the true meaning of "seven outs".
First, let's explain what a "seven-out" is. In ancient China, marriage was regarded as sacrosanct, but in some special circumstances, the husband had the right to file for divorce, which was the "seven outs". So, what are these seven reasons?
The first reason is that they cannot have children. In ancient times, procreation was one of the important purposes of marriage, and if it was not possible, it meant that the marriage did not achieve the desired effect, therefore, the husband could file for divorce.
The second reason is unfilial to the in-laws. In ancient society, filial piety to the in-laws was a very important moral norm, and if the wife could not be filial to the in-laws, it was considered disrespectful to the marriage, and the husband could file for divorce.
The third reason is cheating. In ancient times, marital fidelity was the most basic moral requirement, and if a wife cheated, it meant that she betrayed the marriage, and the husband could file for divorce.
The fourth reason is jealousy. In ancient times, jealousy was seen as a serious mental illness, and if the wife was too jealous, it would cause damage to family harmony, and the husband could file for divorce.
The fifth reason is gossip. In ancient times, women were taught to keep their tongues shut, and if their wives were gossiping, they were considered to be of bad character, and husbands could file for divorce.
The sixth reason is unruly. In ancient times, women were required to follow various rules, and if the wife did not follow the rules, it was considered disrespectful to the marriage, and the husband could file for divorce.
The seventh reason is that he is seriously ill. In ancient times, illness was seen as a misfortune, and if the wife was seriously ill and could not perform her duties as a wife, the husband could file for divorce.
So, why did there be such a marriage system in ancient times?This is because in ancient society, marriage was not just a matter of two people, but also a marriage of two families. The purpose of marriage is not only for love, but also for the continuation of the family and the stability of society. Therefore, the position of the wife in the family is very important, she must not only be able to have children, but also honor her in-laws, maintain family harmony, and abide by the rules of society. If the wife fails to meet these requirements, she may be divorced by the husband.
However, is such a marriage system really fair?The answer is no. Because in ancient society, the status of women was very low, and they did not have the right to choose their own way of life, but could only passively accept the arrangements of family and society. Moreover, the "seven out" regulations are also very harsh, as long as one of them is met, the wife may be divorced, which is undoubtedly very unfair to the wife.
However, we cannot deny that the "seven outs" have also maintained family harmony and stability to a certain extent. Because in ancient society, the family was the basic unit of society, and the stability of the family directly affected the stability of society. Therefore, by regulating the behavior of the wife, the harmony and stability of the family can be effectively maintained.
In general, the "seven outs" are part of the marriage system in ancient society, which not only reflects the expectations and requirements of ancient society for women, but also reflects the importance that ancient society attaches to family harmony and stability. However, with the progress of society and the improvement of women's status, the "seven outs" have been eliminated by modern society and replaced by a marriage system of equality between men and women and free love.
Here, we would like to emphasize that the core of both the ancient "seven outs" and the modern marriage system is to respect and protect human rights. Both men and women should have equal rights, including choosing their own lifestyles and pursuing their own happiness. This is the principle that we should adhere to in modern society, and it is also our attitude towards history and culture.
Finally, I hope that through this article, you can have a deeper understanding of the ancient "seven outs", and at the same time, you can also have a deeper thinking about our current society and marriage system. Let's cherish the present life together, respect history and culture, and create a better future together!