China, located in East Asia, is the third largest country by area and the largest country by population in the world. While China has one-fifth of the worlds totalpopulation, and it also has one of the earliest civilizations, dating back to some 5000years ago. China is often distinguished for its technological advances and intelligence,but in the early 20th century, Chinese society was far from perfect. The women in China,lived a slow and difficult life, bound by tradition and obedience. Women had to bind theirfeet at birth or face adversity throughout their entire lives. Footbinding was a painfulprocess that allowed women to be thought of as beautiful and a good future wife.However, their roles in society soon changed, with the invading Communism. Women soonreceived the same treatment and the respect Chinese men had because of Westernideas and influence. Chinese women suffered pain and heartache their entire lives. From the momenta woman was born, she was considered nothing, she was unimportant.1 Sons were allthat mattered because the family name would live in them, while a daughter would bemarried off and take on the duties for their in-laws. A woman earned little respect fromher family. For example, when a son born was born, the umbilical cord was saved in a jar.However, if a daughter was born, her umbilical cord was buried outside because she leftand married off when coming to age and there was no need to save the umbilical cord ofa guest.2 They were mostly uneducated and played out the role of a servant or slave.They did everything: they washed, knitted, and were required to serve our maritalduties.3 In dealing with the challenges that women faced, one primary fact becomesapparent- a woman rarely had a free day without chores or problems. Unborn while insidethe womb, a girl baby faced the possibility of being aborted because there was no time, ormoney, to care for her.4 Each day she lived she was forced to complete so many chor...
