The value and status placed on individuals was quite distinct between Western Europe and China. Family life and the importance of family members varied between both societies because of the value given to their work. The status of women, though not very highly regarded in either society, was given a higher status to those of Western Europe. Family structure, the status of women, and those who were valued and praised in society were quite unparallel between Western Europe and China due to current events that were going on, religous views, and centuries of tradition and values.
Both China and Western Europe followed basic patriarchal structures, however, they were much more coerce in China than in Western Europe. Women in China were treated as collection items, much like dolls or trophies. Western European women retained certain rights and were treated at a better standard than Chinese women. However, they were married off in arranged marriages for land and property, whereas in China it was to create strong family clans. Chinese couples were married at a much younger age than their Western European counterparts. Elders and ancestors were highly regarded in Chinese families, but in Western Europe they were seen as senile burdens to the family. In both cultures, widows assumed the position to run the family if the sons were too young.
As Western Europe's trading economy grew, merchants became a quite wealthy and respected class. Their connections to exotic goods gave them a preferential status in society. In contrast, merchants in Chinese society were no better than slaves because they didn't contribute food by agricultural work or were nobility. It was even recorded that during times of war, they were locked outside of the city gates to defend themselves. The highest in status in Chinese culture were the scholar gentry and nobility. Those that stuck to Confucian ideaology survived and prospered. In Western Europe, those that could adapt to the changing tide of the economy became powerful and had great influence over politics.
Women lost many rights during this time period in both China and Western Europe, but signs of rebellion were starting to take form. Most of the times, lower class women retained certain privileges than those of higher classes. High class unmarried women in Western Europe were sent to convents after they reached a certain age without a husband. Many intellectual and outspoken women were accused of witchcraft and unrightfully persecuted by the church, who had a stake invested in keeping women at an inferior level. Though usually fair in order to gain members, including women, the church was not interested in giving women positions of power within the church itself. Convents were an alternative that benefited both the family and church. Women in China were treated as property. Footbinding, a common occurence was meant to make them look cute. A quiet and submissive nature was a quality quite admired by the Chinese at the time. Lower class, working women in China and Western Europe had more leeway because their work was needed and somewhat respected.
Status, position, and gender played a crucial role in how you were treated in China and Western Europe. What you were defined you in China. Who and what you did defined your status in Western Europe. In a transitional period, your rank in society could rise and fall based on your trade and connections. As society moved to a period of new thoughts about women and family structure, society adapted to these new needs by slightly altering traditional thoughts.
Both China and Western Europe followed basic patriarchal structures, however, they were much more coerce in China than in Western Europe. Women in China were treated as collection items, much like dolls or trophies. Western European women retained certain rights and were treated at a better standard than Chinese women. However, they were married off in arranged marriages for land and property, whereas in China it was to create strong family clans. Chinese couples were married at a much younger age than their Western European counterparts. Elders and ancestors were highly regarded in Chinese families, but in Western Europe they were seen as senile burdens to the family. In both cultures, widows assumed the position to run the family if the sons were too young.
As Western Europe's trading economy grew, merchants became a quite wealthy and respected class. Their connections to exotic goods gave them a preferential status in society. In contrast, merchants in Chinese society were no better than slaves because they didn't contribute food by agricultural work or were nobility. It was even recorded that during times of war, they were locked outside of the city gates to defend themselves. The highest in status in Chinese culture were the scholar gentry and nobility. Those that stuck to Confucian ideaology survived and prospered. In Western Europe, those that could adapt to the changing tide of the economy became powerful and had great influence over politics.
Women lost many rights during this time period in both China and Western Europe, but signs of rebellion were starting to take form. Most of the times, lower class women retained certain privileges than those of higher classes. High class unmarried women in Western Europe were sent to convents after they reached a certain age without a husband. Many intellectual and outspoken women were accused of witchcraft and unrightfully persecuted by the church, who had a stake invested in keeping women at an inferior level. Though usually fair in order to gain members, including women, the church was not interested in giving women positions of power within the church itself. Convents were an alternative that benefited both the family and church. Women in China were treated as property. Footbinding, a common occurence was meant to make them look cute. A quiet and submissive nature was a quality quite admired by the Chinese at the time. Lower class, working women in China and Western Europe had more leeway because their work was needed and somewhat respected.
Status, position, and gender played a crucial role in how you were treated in China and Western Europe. What you were defined you in China. Who and what you did defined your status in Western Europe. In a transitional period, your rank in society could rise and fall based on your trade and connections. As society moved to a period of new thoughts about women and family structure, society adapted to these new needs by slightly altering traditional thoughts.
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