Introduction:
China is an ancient country with a history of thousands of years, and its long history is accompanied by a rich and colorful Chinese culture. The development of Chinese culture was influenced by Confucianism during the feudal period, and Cheng Zhu Lixue caused severe damage to women. Feudal etiquette oppressed and shackled women in ancient society, and had a profound impact on marriage and family. The choice of marriage is entirely in the hands of men, and women have a very low status in marriage, while modern women enjoy greater freedom of marriage and love.
I. The Institution of Marriage and the Status of Women in Feudal Society.
In feudal society, marriage was seen as a family affair, and men had absolute power in marriage. They can divorce their wives and take concubines at any time, but women have no choice. Women have a low status, and not only do they have to obey their husbands, but even their fathers choose their spouses on their behalf. As a result of this system, women lose their autonomy in marriage and have no say in their own future.
In feudal society, marriage was often carried out to preserve the honor and status of the family. Men are seen as the heirs of the family, and their wives must be chaste and faithful. This led to strict restraint on women, who had to abide by the norms of "three obedience and four virtues", that is, obedience to the father, obedience to the husband, obedience to the son, chastity, modesty, meekness, diligence and thrift. Women's every move is under surveillance and social pressure, and their freedom is severely restricted.
Story 1: The tragedy of the princess.
In ancient China, there was a princess, who was born into a noble family and married a wealthy prince. However, her marriage was not happy. The prince took in a number of concubines, but the princess was required to abide by the norms of "three obedience and four virtues" and could not resist her husband's decision. Her life was full of pain and depression, which eventually led to her mental breakdown. Her story is a portrayal of many women in feudal society, whose fate was often bound by the institution of marriage.
2. Cheng Zhu Lixue's destruction of women.
Cheng Zhu Lixue is a branch of Confucianism that had a profound impact on Chinese feudal society. It emphasized the superiority of men and the inferiority of women, and strengthened the oppression of women by feudal etiquette. Women were regarded as vassals of men, and were strictly regulated by feudal etiquette, including the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, the Three Principles and the Five Constants. These norms limit women's freedom and make it difficult for them to pursue happiness and autonomy.
Cheng Zhu Lixue positions women as dependents of the family, and their existence and value are mainly for the purpose of serving their husbands and raising children. This perception makes women passive in the family, deprived of the opportunity to pursue personal development and happiness. Women's education was restricted, and they were required to focus only on family matters and not to participate in social and political activities.
Story 2: The virgin and the tortoise.
At a rural temple fair, a young boy saw a turtle cruising on the side of the road. He picked up a rock and tried to hit the tortoise. A chaste woman saw this scene and hurried over to stop the boy's behavior. She told the boy that the turtle was a symbol of virginity and should not be insulted. This little story reflects the emphasis on the dignity and chastity of women in feudal society, and women are expected to maintain the honor of the family, and even a turtle cannot be taken lightly.
III. The Evolution of the Institution of Marriage and the Status of Modern Women.
With the development of society and the change of cultural concepts, the marriage system has undergone great changes. Modern women enjoy greater freedom of marriage and love, and can choose their marriage partners independently, and are no longer bound by feudal etiquette. The concept of equality between men and women has gradually become widespread, and the status of women has been significantly improved. However, the oppression and destruction of women in feudal society left historical traces and still affected the continuation of some traditional concepts.
In modern society, marriage is no longer just about maintaining the honor and status of the family, but a cooperative relationship based on mutual respect and equality. Women have the right to pursue their dreams and careers and are no longer bound by traditional norms. Marriage is no longer the only way out for women in life, they can choose to live independently or pursue other forms of relationships.
Story 3: The Free Choice of Modern Women.
In modern society, there is a woman named Xiaoyu, who is a successful professional woman with her own career and independent economy. Xiaoyu meets a gentle and considerate man, they fall in love and decide to get married. The marriage is based on equality and respect, and they share family responsibilities and support each other. This story shows the freedom of marriage and love and the equal marriage relationship enjoyed by modern women.
Conclusion: China's marriage system and the status of women have changed significantly in different historical periods, from the oppression of women in feudal society to the more freedom enjoyed by women in modern times, which reflects the evolution of social and cultural concepts. However, traces of feudal society remain, reminding us to cherish the rights and freedoms that modern women have acquired. In today's society, we should pursue an equal, respectful and mutually supportive marriage relationship, abandon the destruction of women by feudal etiquette, and let every woman pursue her own happiness and autonomy. The proverb that we would rather marry a widow than have a wife has become a part of history, and we should face marriage and family with an open mind to create a better future.