Answer to Question 1

1.   In what ways are Pearl and May limited by the traditional expectations placed upon them as daughters in Chinese culture? Why do their parents allow them to ignore many of the cultural expectations that Chinese girls would normally comply with? How do many of the cultural and social expectations of today's society limit you and those with whom you associate?

Being Chinese daughters, Pearl and May are expected to follow the very traditional gender roles of their culture. Women are found in a subordinate position to their fathers or husbands; therefore, women are placed in a lower social hierarchy to men. While still unmarried, they must strictly obey their father’s wishes. Once married, their obedience switches to their husbands.

Another great expectation after marriage is to bear a child, most importantly, a male child, who will then carry the family name. Since becoming a mother is such an important task for Chinese women, they are then expected to learn all the skills of a “good wife”, which also include the “good mother” role. They must know how to tend to their husband’s needs, to speak only when addressed, obey their husbands, serve their husbands, and care for their children.

May and Pearl were considered to be very lucky for growing up in a family with a well-established financial situation, but above all, that disregarded many aspects of the gender role tradition of their culture, aspects which placed women in a lower plane.

The Shanghai girls grew up worry-free. In spite of traditional beliefs, their father was easily manipulated by the charms of his younger daughter May, who could effortlessly persuade him, and hence, would get everything the way her and her sister Pearl wanted. The sisters even had a job as “beautiful girls”, posing for an artist, and making money of their own. Pearl also had acquired a college degree, which was very uncommon for women, as well as an English teaching job. They were independent, and didn’t have the habit to ask for permission before deciding anything. In this way, the girls were not raised to become traditional wives or mothers; consequently, the Chinese culture in regards to gender roles, did not bound or sculpt their behavior.

I believe that their parents allowed them to ignore many of the normal cultural expectations for Chinese girls because of their financial situation. Perhaps, since they lived in a luxurious house, with servants, and plentitude, they believed that this situation was always going to be true. They never expected any hardships, as well as never expected to arrange their marriages, as most traditional Chinese families would do. Since they expected to always live in luxury, they did not find necessary to raise their only daughters within their country’s set gender roles. Instead, they could let them choose their fate, knowing that they would always have everything they could possibly need.

In today’s society, although there was a lot of improvement throughout the years, and a lot of awareness was raised regarding this issue, gender roles are still part of many cultures, and are still indirectly expected to take place, even nowadays. Men are expected to be the head of the household and the breadwinner. Women are supposed to take care of the house, and be the main caretaker for the children, the elderly, and their husbands, even if she works outside her home.