The gender roles in Taiwan are similar to those in the United States, but amplified. In Taiwan, there is a strong patriarchy. While a patriarchal society is often associated with “Christian values”, Taiwan is a Confucian society with only a portion of Christian citizens. As the country has modernized, the typical large family has been replaced with nuclear families. This is due to increased employment, large incomes, and higher education. Before, the ideal family was multigenerational with a strong patriarch and compliant daughters-in-law ("Culture of Taiwan", 2017). While this set-up is becoming less common, these are the core values. Taiwanese men are supposed to be strong and have a dominating way about them. When going out to eat, the men always pay for the women they are with, even if they are just friends. This is said to be because of the role of women. Women have an average education level lower than the average man in Taiwan, and they do not make as much money as men do ("Women’s and Men’s Gender Role Attitudes in Coastal China and Taiwan", 2014). Property is considered a birthright for men. The inheritance often goes mostly to the men instead of women. Moreover, men are supposed to be the breadwinners and are more likely to hold value to these traditional roles than women. Women in Taiwan have different roles they must fulfill. They are to be the classic home-maker. A woman working outside of the house is said to be a very negative influence on the children and overall family life (Ellison, 1970). Along with these functional roles of women, they are also supposed to maintain a specific look. Most likely due to the strength of the patriarchal system, the women are supposed to be extremely skinny with pale skin. This is an indication that she does not work hard or work outside often, and stays inside taking care of the children. While American women are supposed to be skinny, it is a much more prominent requirement of Taiwanese (and other Asian) women. Feminism in America has given women many rights throughout history, and in Taiwan, feminism is a growing movement. Men still have higher paying jobs than women, and in political offices, most women are only able to have lower-level positions. Women only earn 72% compared to men for equivalent work. Trends that are now growing in Taiwan include higher divorce rates, fewer children, higher education, and delayed marriages ("Culture of Taiwan", 2017). These indicate the importance of women growing and becoming more than just a house wife. Personally, I think it is great that feminism is an increasingly strong movement that has reached Taiwan. However, when studying other cultures, it is important to be mindful of ethnocentrism. Just because in our society we would view it as wrong for such gender roles to be so enforced and prominent, does not mean we have room to say what is right or wrong. I do think that it is harmful for many Asian women to feel invalid for not being extremely skinny. I have heard it from several Taiwanese and other Asian women that they feel fat and ugly because they do not fit the stereotypical mold of the thin and tiny Asian woman. Their families even tell them these things because it is so important in their culture for the women to be as small as they can. Works Cited Ellison, C. G. (1970, January 01). Religion, gender, and family relations in Taiwan. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/3369 Culture of Taiwan. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Taiwan.html S., & Y. (2014, August 21). Women’s and Men’s Gender Role Attitudes in Coastal China and Taiwan. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255573453_Women's_and_Men's_Gender_Role_Attitudes_in_Coastal_China_and_Taiwan
4 Comments
Elayna
3/13/2017 04:05:44 pm
I love that you said that others should not decide what we think is right or wrong. Even thou it is hard to understand because we grew up so diffrent then most people. I have also heard about Asian women being shamed for their weight and how hard it is to be accepted as women sometimes. The country I am studying also has the men as bread winners and the women as home takers, but women are starting to care for them selves more and be more independent.
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3/15/2017 01:09:10 am
I find it fascinating that most cultures are patriarchal. It seems that most women in these societies are belittled. My country is Guatemala and the women are also known as the caretakers and make less money in the workplace. It makes me happy knowing that women are out there working towards change in the feminist movement! Women are equal to men!
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Julio Yac
3/15/2017 10:43:10 pm
Hi Emily.
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Sarah Hall
3/15/2017 11:46:25 pm
I really like that you included the fact that we should not be the ones to decide what is right or wrong. That is definitely something that our society needs to keep in mind, simply out of respect for other cultures. Even if we do not agree with how enforced the societal roles are we should not be the ones to judge. However, I do like that Taiwanese women are joining in the movement to be equal to men.
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