Chinese Family & Society

Confucian Values• Confucian values governed

all aspects of life in China.

• The family was organized into a strict hierarchy with the father or oldest male being dominant, followed by the younger males.

• The mother came in the hierarchy before the daughters, followed by the successively younger females.

Relationships• Strict rules governed all relationships in the family. Each family

member knew his/her place & understood his/her duties.

• Each family member expected obedience from those further down in the hierarchy, & each respected those above.

• Each person was careful not to bring dishonor on the family by failing in those duties.

• The father had absolute control over the lives of all family members, including careers & marriages.

Status of Women• Confucius valued girls much less than boys.

• Daughters left home to become part of her husband’s family as soon as she married.

• Women spent their lives being subservient to men.

• Foot binding- a status symbol of success, a social control, & considered more desirable for marriage.

Social Structure• The Emperor & his court were at the top of society.

• The Gentry- landholders’ wealth was generally limited, because all sons received land when the property was divided.

• Peasants & Artisans- paid rent to the landowner. They paid taxes & had to work one month a year on public works projects.

• Merchants- despite the great wealth some merchants accumulated, Chinese society generally held them in contempt.

Government & Literature• Civil service candidates had to

master a collection of Confucian writings which were thought to carry solutions to most social & political problems.

• Exams were given at every level of government. If a student performed well on the exam, he would go on to the next level.

• The civil service system provided opportunities for social advancement– some poor but talented individuals did rise to positions of power & influence.