CONTEXT
1) What are some stereotypes of women in my country?
I think in the old generation’s mind, Chinese people still have some idea that boys are more important than girls. In many families, it is the men who have the right to make decisions and the women should obey.
2) What are some traditions that women should follow in my country in old times?
There is a really incomprehensible tradition to me in old dynasties of my country that women should bind their feet. Since very little, girls should use a strip of cloth to bind their feet which would cause a lot of pain because it is stopping their feet to grow until they were totally deformed. Their is a saying of this type of feet that is at a perfect size called three-inch “golden lotuses”.
3) How have I grown up as a girl in my culture?
Actually I think I was being treated really fairly when I grew up. I feel in my generation people’s thought are pretty open. They don’t have the feudal concept that women should be at a minor place.
4) Is there any circumstances that made me feel I was treated like this because I’m a girl?
I remember an uncle once asked me about what I wanted to do in the future, just as all the other adults might ask a child. I answered that I wanted to finish my school work first then I will consider the things after. He replied that I should consider going back to work and marrying a man in my hometown. I know this was just a random chatting, but I feel that elder people all think this way.
5) What are some my personal identities that are related to my experiences and background?
On the surface, I am an introvert who do not like to talk, but actually I think a lot. As a girl I don’t like cute and pink things like most girls do. In fact I like cool and neutral stuff. But I’m changing all the time. I think I’m very tolerant of a lot of styles and cultures. For being a girl, there is always a thought inside me for a long time, that I don’t like to show the weak side of me in front of people because I don’t like people to think that I’m a girl and understand me for being weaker.
SYMBOLS
6) What are some symbols associated with women?
Apparently when we go to restroom, we recognize the symbols of females and males, and for females it is always red or pink colors.
7) What textile patterns are associated with stereotypes of women?
I feel plaids work. Some women with aggressive personalities will wear leopard print outfits. Women with tender personalities sometimes like to wear pink flower print dress.
8) What objects are associated with women?
Earrings, cosmetics(eye shadow palette, lip stick, mascara, brushes, etc.), perfume, high heeled shoes, skirts, bra, hair curler, handbags, pearls, diamonds, necklaces, jewelry, flowers, barbie dolls, dance(ballet), crystal ball…
9) What are some symbols associated with the view of women in the culture of my country?
A bun of hair, embroidery, the Chinese zither(an instrument), rouge(reddish makeup), ink and wash painting, handkerchief, red veil for wedding…
10) What are the items that I use in my daily life?
Cosmetics(eye shadow palette, lip stick, mascara, brushes, etc.), perfume, hand cream, body lotion, hair ties, head band, silver rings, different earrings, a small hand mirror, contact lenses, vitamin pills, a white trapezoid cup…
What are some other signifiers that represent women based on stereotypes constructed and reinforced in the Chinese culture?
Ancient time(I was first thinking about the women’s wearing at that time when they are married, then it leads me to think of the wedding process… It is not necessarily related to my topic of women, but I just wrote them out):
- Red veil for wedding
- Embroidery
- Rouge
- A bun of hair
- Red color relates to wedding
- Sedan
- Firecracker
- Wedding tradition that the couple should first bow to the heaven and earth, second to the parents, third to each other.
Modern days:
- Barbie doll
- Jewelry and pearls
- Crystal ball
- Lip stick
- Pink color dresses & decorations
- High heeled shoes
- Cosmetics
- Perfume(fragrance)
