(East-West Question) Ma Jialan: What kind of international style do contemporary Chinese women have?
China News Agency, Beijing, July 3rd, Question: What kind of international style do contemporary Chinese women have?
——Interview with Ma Jialan, Associate Professor of the University of Melbourne, Australia
Author Chai Jingbo
On June 5, Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut in the sky, set off again and took the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft to the Tianhe core module of the Chinese space station, starting a 6-month space mission; Shenzhou 13th female astronaut Wang Yaping also In the vast universe left the figure of Chinese women.
They all show the world the power of contemporary Chinese women.
What is the international image of contemporary Chinese women?
Fran Martin, associate professor of the Department of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne, Australia, said in an exclusive interview with China News Agency's "East-West Question" that the confidence, talent, ability to express and think deeply that Chinese women have shown to the world are breaking the Western perception of China. Stereotypes of women who are being seen by the world and shining on the international stage.
The following is a summary of the interview transcript:
China News Service reporter: What characteristics do you think contemporary Chinese women have? What impressions did they make on you?
Ma Jialan:
A new type of Chinese female image is expressed as: ambitious, highly educated, and highly mobile internationally.
They abandoned the traditional idea of "should marry and have children on time" and focus more on personal self-development.
Because of China's growing middle class, this prosperity has brought huge benefits to Chinese women.
On June 5, 2022, the expedition ceremony of the astronaut crew of the Shenzhou 14 manned mission was held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The picture shows Liu Yang.
Photo by Wang Jiangbo issued by China News Agency
According to statistics from China's Ministry of Education, about 60% of returnees are women, which is the first proof of the tremendous progress China has made in women's education in recent decades.
In the past few years, I have followed and studied 56 Chinese female students studying in Australia and their family members.
According to the research, I have a comprehensive understanding of China's great social and economic achievements after the reform and opening up.
Since 1979, China's middle-class group has grown substantially, especially Chinese women. Their living standards and education levels have continued to improve, thanks to China's economic and social prosperity.
In my research, some of the parents of 56 Chinese female students were born during the difficult period of China's economic development.
For example, one study subject whose father was born in rural China made his first fortune selling vegetables by the roadside in the 1980s.
Thirty years later, this father has made his life rich and become a new batch of middle-class groups in China, so that he has the ability to let his daughter go to the world to receive an international and diverse education. Inspirational stories like this are very remarkable.
China News Service: Some Western media will present a negative and negative image of Chinese women, which affects the international community's perception and judgment of Chinese women. Now that more Chinese women study abroad and shine on the international stage, how do they influence the Western world's traditional perception of the image of Chinese women? How has the image of Chinese women in the Western world changed?
Ma Jialan:
From a historical point of view, at least it can be said that the image of Chinese women in Western media reports is problematic.
They often portray Chinese women in the Orientalist way as "submissive, humble, beauties who conform to traditional gender roles" or as fierce, domineering, and powerful "dragon ladies" (prejudice, stereotypes against East Asian women, source In the 1930s American comic "Terry and the Pirates").
These stereotypes and highly disrespectful views can cause some trouble for Chinese women living in the Western world.
Unfortunately, they (Western media) still shape the way and assumptions about Chinese women in the Western world.
However, as more Chinese women study abroad, and we see a huge number of young Chinese women in college classrooms who are so talented, confident, articulate and think deeply, I think those stereotypes are being hit hard.
I also hope that college staff and students around the world will be grateful for the privilege of being in contact with these outstanding Chinese women.
In May 2021, Chinese students at New York University celebrated their graduation at Washington Square in Manhattan.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan
China News Service reporter: The image of women is one aspect of the national image. What are the similarities and differences in the development and changes of female images between the East and the West?
Ma Jialan:
I have always admired China's efforts to improve the social status of women, which is a remarkable achievement.
But we have to admit that machismo and patriarchy still exist.
In Western history, there have been several feminist struggles in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries that continue to this day.
Every country is different, and Scandinavian countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden, etc.) are far ahead of the US, UK and Australia in achieving gender equality.
Of course, women in Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India are also striving for women's equality along their own path.
On February 14, 2022, the Beijing Winter Olympics figure skating ice dance free dance competition was held at the Capital Gymnasium.
The picture shows Finnish players Yulia Turkila and Matthias Fessluis in the game.
Photo by Cui Nan issued by China News Agency
In any case, government-led reforms are crucial to the advancement of women in society.
We need strong, enforceable legislation and state support to combat sexism and male privilege in the job market; on the family side, through government support for parental leave for fathers and mothers, and government subsidized parenting to allow women to Return to work; in education, provide for the teaching of the principle of gender equality in schools; and in society as a whole, impose legal sanctions on gender discrimination in any area.
For years, feminists have worked to change relevant legislation and government structures, as well as broader social attitudes, to support women's equality.
Every country needs to continue to work hard, and we still have a long way to go.
China News Agency reporter: In recent years, there have been more literature, film and television works and social topics on the theme of "women" in China, and the description of women in modern Western art works has also become more diverse. How do you view this phenomenon?
Ma Jialan:
I think as far as China is concerned, the rise of female-centric entertainment media may be a response to the new Chinese female image I discussed earlier.
For example, more and more TV series, novels and movies now focus on successful professional women.
Many young women see their own experiences reflected in these artistic roles, and media producers are also consciously targeting these women for these kinds of narratives.
On the evening of December 30, 2021, the red carpet ceremony of the 34th China Film Golden Rooster Awards was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
The picture shows Zhang Xiaofei (right), Jia Ling (middle) and others appearing at the red carpet ceremony.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Lv Ming
Currently in Chinese society, women face many contradictions in their gender identity, and some influential voices are trying to convince them that "traditional" values are the best, and that the identity of an adult woman should be defined by the dedication to caring for family work; On the one hand, others believe that women are capable and should define themselves by independently pursuing their careers, life goals and aspirations, and dreams.
Some popular media, such as women-focused TV and radio, try to help women navigate complex and tense gender relationships in their own lives.
China News Service reporter: With the rise of global female consciousness, the prejudice against "gender stereotypes" is being resisted by more and more people. How to truly achieve gender equality?
Ma Jialan:
No country in the world has achieved complete gender equality, and there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve true gender equality.
The long-term experience of capitalist countries tells us that market economies naturally do not encourage gender equality.
Therefore, governments must intervene to promote gender justice.
Gender-related issues exist in many countries around the world, including "sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and double standards in the job market."
The influence of gender bias still exists in the current period of economic and social development, and it undoubtedly undermines the positive role of women in challenging traditional patriarchy and improving their own voice.
For example, in the job market, especially in the private sector, there is still some gender bias against women. Employers will think that these single women will soon get married and have children, and employers will have to pay for their maternity leave costs. This has led many employers to openly express that they prefer male jobs Rather than women, many talented female graduates do not get a fully competent job.
I think this situation is noteworthy and the road to breaking stereotypes is long, but I also believe that things will change in the future.
(Finish)
Interviewee Profile:
Fran Martin is an associate professor, Ph.D., and writer at the Department of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Her research focuses on contemporary Chinese cultural production in television, film, literature, and other forms, specializing in transnational mobility and representation, and the culture of gender and sexuality.
He is currently presiding over a 5-year "ARC Future Fellowship" research project, which aims to study the changes in the image and social status of Chinese young women in the international community.