Changes in the Role of Women

What were the changes in policy towards women from 1950 to 1962?

There were a number of changes in China's policy towards women between the years 1950 and 1962 due to the Marriage Law and other initiatives.

What areas did the 1950-1962 policy changes towards women cover?

These changes can be categorised into 4 key areas:

• ❖ Marriage.
• ❖ Family.
• ❖ Economics.
• ❖ Politics.

What impact did the 1950-1962 policy changes towards women have on marriage?

There was a mixed response, with 4 main impacts in relation to marriage:

• ❖ Many opposed the Marriage Law, especially in the heavily Muslim west. This led to arranged marriages continuing.
• ❖ The exchanging of gifts and dowries continued in rural areas.
• ❖ Divorce, though legal, was seen to bring shame upon a family.
• ❖ There was some success, as the average age of marriage rose and the number of infanticides reduced.

What impact did the 1950-1962 policy changes towards women have on family life?

Policies towards family life brought about 2 positive changes:

• ❖ China produced contraceptives, allowing for autonomy of choice and helping reduce the rate of infanticide. There was resistance to this, however, particularly in rural areas.
• ❖ Childbirth became a safer process, with better training and standardised procedures.

What impact did the 1950-1962 policy changes towards women have on women's economic roles?

The impact on women's economic roles during this period was also mixed. 4 key changes were:

• ❖ The percentage of women working increased to nearly 30% in the 1960s. This was compared to just 8% in 1949.
• ❖ Education was more accessible to women, and female literacy rates rose.
• ❖ However, property rights were soon withdrawn as collectivisation removed all privately owned property.
• ❖ Due to extreme conditions during the Great Famine, men still sold their wives for income which was evidence equality of the sexes had not been achieved.

What impact did the 1950-1962 policy changes toward women have on women's political roles?

Politically, women saw 3 main successes during this period due to Mao's reforms:

• ❖ Representation in the Central People's Political Consultative Committee increased. This was reflected in the National People's Congress which also saw a rise.
• ❖ While there was some minor opposition to women's involvement in politics, most accepted that women could hold minor roles in government.
• ❖ There were some huge successes and role models produced during this period. The elected Ministers for Health and Justice were both women, and showed more fully the intention to integrate women in politics.