Rights and Responsibilities
Did men and women have equal rights and responsibilities?
Ancient China was a male-centred society. Chinese women did not have rights and privileges. Early in the history, men dominated the Chinese society while women are deprived of all rights and were present mainly to serve man. Women had no right to express their own opinion but had to follow men's decisions.
Ancient Chinese men and women didn't have the same responsibilities. Women were subordinate to men for the rest of their lives. As a mother, their biggest duty is to have sons, boys were considered far more important than girls in Ancient China. Women often stay and work at home, they had the responsibility to look after children, cook, and clean the house. Weaving, spinning and sewing were also their jobs. Men had some completely different responsibilities to women. They were considered strong and intelligent, they were the scholars, or the soldiers. Men were the rulers of the families. It was their responsibility to farm and to trade or sell.