Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China (Asian Arguments)

A century ago, Chinese feminists fighting for the emancipation of women helped spark the Republican Revolution, which overthrew the Qing empire. After China's Communist revolution of 1949, Chairman Mao famously proclaimed that "women hold up half the sky." In the early years of the People's Republic, the Communist Party sought to transform gender relations with expansive initiatives such as assigning urban women jobs in the planned economy. Yet those gains are now being eroded in China's post-socialist era. Contrary to many claims made in the mainstream media, women in China have experienced a dramatic rollback of many rights and gains relative to men. Leftover Women debunks the popular myth that women have fared well as a result of post-socialist China's economic reforms and breakneck growth. Laying out the structural discrimination against women in China will speak to broader problems with China's economy, politics, and development. A Century Ago, Chinese Feminists Fighting For The Emancipation Of Women Helped Spark The Republican Revolution, Which Overthrew The Qing Empire. After The Communist Revolution Of 1949, Chairman Mao Famously Proclaimed That 'women Hold Up Half The Sky'. In The Early Years Of The People's Republic, The Communist Party Sought To Transform Gender Relations With Expansive Initiatives Such As Assigning Urban Women Jobs In The Planned Economy. Yet Those Gains Are Now Being Eroded In China's Post-socialist Era. Contrary To Many Claims Made In The Mainstream Media, Women In China Have Experienced A Dramatic Rollback Of Many Rights And Gains Relative To Men. This Crucial Book Debunks The Popular Myth That Women Have Fared Well As A Result Of Post-socialist China's Economic Reforms And Breakneck Growth. Laying Out The Structural Discrimination Against Women In China Will Speak To Broader Problems With China's Economy, Politics, And Development. China's Leftover Women -- How Chinese Women Were Shut Out Of The Biggest Accumulation Of Real-estate Wealth In History -- China's Giant Gender Wealth Gap -- Back To The Ming Dynasty -- Wives Caught In China's Web Of Abuse -- Fighting Back. Leta Hong Fincher. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Leta Hong Fincher's landmark book Leftover Women shone a light on the resurgence of gender inequality in 21st-century China. Ten years on, women in China continue to experience a dramatic rolling back of rights and gains in the increasingly patriarchal political climate of the Xi Jinping era. Leftover Women explores the structural discrimination against women and the broader problems with China's economy, politics, and development that lie behind them. This updated edition includes a new preface exploring developments in China in the 10 years since the book's original publication, including the new "three child policy", the growth in online feminist and LGBTQ activism and the state's increasingly repressive moves against dissent. After the 1949 revolution in China, Chairman Mao famously proclaimed that “women hold up half the sky.” In the early years of the People’s Republic, the Communist Party sought to transform gender relations with expansive initiatives. Yet those gains are being eroded in China’s post-socialist era. Contrary to many claims made in the media, women in China have experienced a dramatic rollback of rights and gains relative to men. Leftover Women lays out the structural discrimination against women and speaks to broader problems with China’s economy, politics, and development. In the early years of the People's Republic, the Communist Party sought to transform gender relations. Yet those gains have been steadily eroded in China's post-socialist era.Contrary to the image presented by China's media, women in China have experienced a dramatic rollback of rights and gains relative to men.In Leftover Women, Leta Hong Fincher exposes shocking levels of structural discrimination against women, and the broader damage this has caused to China's economy, politics, and development.