Women’s History in Works of Chinese Scholars: Mid-to-Late 20th Century

Abstract

Introduction. In the context of the current postmodern upheaval, the need to define each trend and field in sciences dealing with the past gains special significance. The article attempts an analytical review of achievements in the study of the ‘women’s theme’ in contemporary historical sciences of Mainland China between 1949 and 1999. Goals. The work aims to examine the accumulation of knowledge concerning the ‘second sex’ (long considered non-principal); review the history of how previously unknown sources or overlooked aspects and plots relating to legal, family, social statuses of Chinese women have been introduced into scientific discourse; identify prerequisites and causes for the emergence of new fields in disciplines dealing with the past (women’s history of China and anthropology of gender); explore main stages in the development of the research trend to determine its significance for contemporary Chinese and world science. Results. The paper proves that the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) served a dividing line in the shaping of the new history research agenda. It was after 1995 that corresponding academic endeavors were launched in various cities and universities, scientific schools formed, and their leaders came forth. Conclusions. The emergence of the new field in China’s science was inevitable since it had been predetermined by a change in cognitive orientations. Women’s history brought together those who were ready to combine Marxist methodology (with its deliberate attention to socioeconomic problems) with the concept of gender (which allowed an introduction of topics never studied by Chinese historians).

Keywords

• women
• female history
• china
• women’s everyday life
• stereotypes
• gender anthropology