Women’s History in Works of Chinese Scholars: Mid-to-Late 20th Century
https://doi.org/10.22162/2619-0990-2023-66-2-404-416
Abstract
Introduction. In the context of the current postmodern upheaval, the need to define each trend and field in sciences dealing with the past gains special significance. The article attempts an analytical review of achievements in the study of the ‘women’s theme’ in contemporary historical sciences of Mainland China between 1949 and 1999. Goals. The work aims to examine the accumulation of knowledge concerning the ‘second sex’ (long considered non-principal); review the history of how previously unknown sources or overlooked aspects and plots relating to legal, family, social statuses of Chinese women have been introduced into scientific discourse; identify prerequisites and causes for the emergence of new fields in disciplines dealing with the past (women’s history of China and anthropology of gender); explore main stages in the development of the research trend to determine its significance for contemporary Chinese and world science. Results. The paper proves that the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) served a dividing line in the shaping of the new history research agenda. It was after 1995 that corresponding academic endeavors were launched in various cities and universities, scientific schools formed, and their leaders came forth. Conclusions. The emergence of the new field in China’s science was inevitable since it had been predetermined by a change in cognitive orientations. Women’s history brought together those who were ready to combine Marxist methodology (with its deliberate attention to socioeconomic problems) with the concept of gender (which allowed an introduction of topics never studied by Chinese historians).
Supporting agencies: The reported study was prepared according to R&D Program of the Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the RAS (Center for Gender Studies), project ‘Gender Studies: Social, Historical, Cultural and Anthropological Perspectives’.
About the Authors
Natalia L. Pushkareva
Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the RAS (32A, Leninsky Ave., 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (History), Professor, Head of Center for Gender Studies
Yilei Li
Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the RAS (32A, Leninsky Ave., 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Postgraduate Student
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Review
For citations:
Pushkareva N.L., Li Y. Women’s History in Works of Chinese Scholars: Mid-to-Late 20th Century. Oriental Studies. 2023;16(2):404-416. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2619-0990-2023-66-2-404-416
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