Confucius, the Chinese philosopher from whom the doctrine takes its name, believed that harmony at the family level influences harmony throughout society. Social stability, paramount in his view, rests on a fundamental, inviolable hierarchy. As long as everyone understands their place and duties, social order can persist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Confucius codified this idea of social order in the \u201cfive relationships,\u201d describing basic subordinations and social relations deemed essential in a \u201chealthy\u201d society.<\/strong> According to these principles, the subject must be subordinate to the ruler, the son to the father, the younger son to the elder, the woman to her husband, and friends have obligations to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend: <\/strong>The Red Pill Movement: A New Chapter in the Battle of the Sexes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Confucius held that cultivating virtue was paramount at the individual level. Confucian virtues include sensitivity, love, truthfulness, kindness, loyalty, harmony, peace, and filial piety. However, to be virtuous, a woman had to be, above all, obedient. In youth, she was subject to her father\u2019s decisions, after marriage to her husband, and in the event of his death, to her eldest son. She was never solely subject to herself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The traditional woman was expected to be beautiful yet innocent, unaware of her charm and modest. She should have a healthy body and mind and make decisions when the situation demands, but never without consulting the man to whom she is subordinate. After marriage, she should be loyal. Jealousy was considered her worst sin. Even if her husband had mistresses, she was expected to be understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As in many other patriarchal societies worldwide, the traditional East Asian model prescribed a division of responsibilities. The man\u2019s domain was the external sphere \u2013 work, politics, and social interactions. The woman\u2019s was the internal sphere \u2013 home and children. Her most important role was to provide her husband with peace and rest \u2013 so that upon returning from work, he could relax and forget about stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The traditional ideal of domestic relations in East Asia is a simple division: two people responsible for two distinct spheres.<\/strong> This clear delineation of duties supposedly allows the family to function like clockwork. However, this harmony is predicated on a clear hierarchy, with the man\u2019s needs organizing daily life and his decisions taking precedence. Such an approach is increasingly unappealing to young women seeking egalitarian partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the economic downturn of the 1980s, the vision of an ideal Japanese home where women could devote themselves entirely to the domestic sphere has increasingly diverged from reality. Gone are the days when announcing an engagement at work resulted in a woman\u2019s dismissal. By 2023, over 53% of Japanese women were employed, a figure that continues to rise, though it is worth noting this includes part-time and casual workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the West, the feminist revolution<\/a> propelled women into the workforce but failed to draw men into the home. Less than one in five men take parental leave, and gentlemen remain reluctant to participate in household chores. For women, entering a relationship often means more work, contributing to the growing trend of young Japanese women remaining single.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend:<\/strong> Alice in Nightmareland: The 21st Century Phenomenon of Adultifying Children\u2019s Literature<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept of a \u201cwise mother<\/a>\u201d in East Asian tradition is not about valuing women\u2019s wisdom per se<\/em>, but rather its impact on offspring. Historically, only sons were subject to rigorous educational training. Today, gender is irrelevant \u2013 the goal is admission to one of Asia\u2019s top universities. This pressure is most evident in South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Education has always been a guarantee of success in East Asia. If you were not born into a high-status family, you could achieve status by passing the civil service examination. Capitalism and the post-war economic \u201cMiracle on the Han River\u201d reinforced Koreans\u2019 cult of education. Unlike in the West, graduating from a prestigious Seoul university still virtually guarantees good employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensuring a child\u2019s success falls squarely on the mother\u2019s shoulders.<\/strong> Her duties include selecting appropriate after-school courses and tutors, helping with homework, and disciplining the child. Like a helicopter, she constantly hovers around her offspring, supervising every step and making decisions on their behalf. This often amounts to a full-time job, especially during pre-exam periods (women who can afford to do so often take leave from work during these times).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the People\u2019s Republic of China now being communist in name only, the ideals of social equality, including gender equality, remain foundational. The single-income household model is unrealistic, especially in smaller towns. In rural China, women juggle professional work with farming and domestic duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unsurprisingly, Chinese women aspire to marry educated, high-earning men to escape their arduous lives. Many refuse marriage until finding a man with his apartment. The one-child policy, introduced in 1979, has led to a gender imbalance in China. After decades of female feticide, infant abandonment, and selling girls abroad for adoption or prostitution, there is now a shortage of women.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pampered-only children are reluctant to leave their parental homes. The Chinese government campaigns against single women, labeling them sh\u00e8ngn\u01da<\/em> \u2013 \u201cleftover women\u201d. Through shame and emotional blackmail, it attempts to push women into marriage to address demographic issues. Meanwhile, Chinese men seek wives abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Western culture significantly impacts societies worldwide. However, Western feminism is not as readily embraced in East Asia as in other regions.<\/strong> East Asian women<\/a> selectively adopt aspects relevant to them. Domestic violence, wage inequality, and workplace harassment are more pressing concerns than sexual orientation or gender identity issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japanese feminists fight for alternating child custody and the right to keep their surnames after marriage. Korean women prioritize street safety, harsher penalties for rapists, and support the #MeToo movement. Chinese feminism is deeply intertwined with politics, class issues, and economic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social expectations still weigh heavily on East Asian women. The \u201cwise mother\u201d role has been updated for capitalism. The \u201cgood wife\u201d ideal is no longer fulfilling, yet men remain reluctant to take on domestic responsibilities. East Asia faces a long journey to bridge cultural and economic gender gaps. Success in this endeavor may ultimately resolve the demographic crisis they currently face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation: Klaudia Tarasiewicz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Polish version:<\/strong> Dobre \u017cony, m\u0105dre matki \u2013 tradycyjny idea\u0142 kobieco\u015bci w\u00a0Chinach, Japonii i\u00a0Korei a\u00a0nowoczesno\u015b\u0107<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Tripartite Role: Asian Wives, Mother, and Lover<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"asian](\"https:\/\/holistic.news\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/asian-wives-2-1024x576.jpg\")
Japanese Women Rebel Against Domestic Servitude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Korean \u201cEducation Mom\u201d Phenomenon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"asian](\"https:\/\/holistic.news\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/asian-wives-3-1024x576.jpg\")
Chinese Women: From Tractors to Marriage Markets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Expectations of Asian Wives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n