16.3 Changing Patterns of Life

1. 16.3Changing Patterns of Life By: Jasmine C.

2. New Philosophy • The Chinese Communists combined the ideas of Marx and Mao. • The new official way of thinking emphasized the values and goals of Chinas new leaders • Chinas new heroes were workers • Children learned to admire a boy who gave up his playtime to gather fertilizer. • Traditional fairytales were rewritten to teach the value of physical labor rather than riches

3. Social Changes • Communists wanted a society where everyone was treated equal • In theory : everyone would have access to education, healthcare, housing, and jobs. • By the 1980’s, Deng’s economic reforms were creating new differences in wealth

4. Family Life • After 1949, China’s leaders tried to weaken the influence of the family • During the Cultural Revolution, Mao encouraged children to criticize their parents for clinging only their old ways • The communists also tried to destroy the traditional reverence for ancestors

5. Traditions survive • Respect for elders and other traditions survived mostly in rural areas. • Families still gather enough money to bury their dead in expensive coffins. • Although the old religions were banned, people hired Daoist priest to perform the required ceremonies • Today, families gather together to celebrate the Spring Festival, the traditional time for honoring their ancestors

6. Marriage • In 1950, china passed a marriage law that provided for freedom of choice in marriages • Under the law, women and men were equal • The man is no longer dominant • Young people no longer had to accept the marriage partner their parents had chosen

7. Family size • In the years of Communist rule, China’s population more than doubled • The government has taken strong measure to limit population growth • The government has encouraged young men and women to delay marriage until they reach their mid- or late 20’s • On-child-per-family policy • A family that accepts this policy receive wage raises such as first chance at scarce apartments • Those who on having more than on child are fined or received only limited food rational for the second child • “I’ve borne nine children,” admitted one peasant woman in 1987. “The first was a boy, but he died. Then I had seven girls… Only the ninth time did heaven send another son.” She paid increasingly large fines for each child

8. A Changing Role for Women • Before 1949, women were considered inferior to men • They couldn’t own property and were expected to obey and serve their husbands and to stay secluded inside the home • Under China’s 1950 constitution, the Communists introduced major changes for women • Women enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of political, economic, cultural, social, and family life. Men and women enjoy equal pay for equal work

9. Education • Since 1949, china’s communist leaders have emphasized literacy • The government opened schools throughout China. • It also opened up schools for adult • The government made Mandarin China’s official language • It took steps to make Chinese script easier to learn

10. Science and technology • China has achieved an impressive record of inventions and scientific advances • By the 1700’s china fell behind the West technologically. • Today, it is again putting great resources into scientific research