This study explores how single professional women in Shanghai deal with the challenge of negotiating between intergenerational obligations and career development. Qualitative data was gathered from 12 semi-structured interviews conducted on urban single professional women in Shanghai. Through the analysis of cultural logic, social policy, state behavior and qualitative data, this thesis has incorporated a fruitful discussion on the interconnectedness between diverse perspectives and larger frameworks.
The Chinese party state has taken the initiative to exercise control over the nation’s population in order to align with family policy and goals for national development. As a result, the negatively loaded stereotype “leftover women” has deeply penetrated Chinese society where single, urban and educated Chinese women have been the main targets. From analyzing marriage trends in Shanghai, population specialists have concluded that individuals are moving away from the model of universal marriage. A recent growth of individualism in Chinese society has given rise to the desiring self.
A large generation of educated, independent and career-driven women have been born. China is the second largest economy and has experienced a surge of unprecedented growth since the establishment of the open-door policy in 1978, resulting in an average GDP growth rate of 9.6 percent per annum in the first two decades of reform. The open-door policy encouraged China to partake in foreign trade, opening its market to the rest of the world. China's economic reform was unique to that of the Soviet Union or other former-socialist countries in Eastern Europe as it was more pragmatic and politically stable. The reform process was not like a blueprint and instead it was, like Deng Xiaoping illustrated, like a person walking across the river by feeling the rocks in each step.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Specific Aim & Research Question
- 2. Background
- 2.1 Leftover Women & Why Shanghai?
- 2.2 Marriage Trends
- 2.3 Women and Work
- 3. Existing Research
- 3.1 Leftover Women & the Marriage Squeeze
- 3.2 Urban Daughters: Empowered or Restricted?
- 3.3 Filial Piety & Intergenerational Obligations
- 4. Theoretical framework:
- 4.1 Intergenerational Obligations & Filial Piety
- 4.2 Descending Familism
- 4.3 Surface China & Deep China
- 4.4 The Divided Self and the Desiring Self
- 5. Methodology
- 5.1 Research Design
- 5.2 Semi Structured Interviews
- 5.3 Data Collection & Sampling
- 5.4 Online & Offline
- 5.5 Data Analysis
- 5.6 Ethical Considerations
- 5.6.1 Asymmetrical Power Relations & Sensitivity
- 5.6.2 Personal Biases & Western Bias
- 5.7 Limitations
- 5.7.1 COVID-19
- 5.7.2 Ecological Validity
- 5.7.3 Participant Representativeness
- 5.7.4 Generalizations
- 6. Analysis/Findings/Results
- 6.1 Setting the scene
- 6.2 Obligations and Filial Piety
- 6.3 The Desiring Self
- 6.4 Why Are You Not Married Yet?
- 6.5 Online Dating and Marriage Markets
- 6.6 Social Policy & Singleton Daughters
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to explore how single professional women in Shanghai navigate the complex interplay between intergenerational obligations and their career aspirations. It delves into the pressures they face in a society where traditional values of family and filial piety remain influential, while simultaneously embracing modern ideals of individualism and career success.
- The impact of the "leftover woman" stereotype on contemporary Chinese women
- Navigating intergenerational obligations and familial expectations within a rapidly changing society
- The evolving role of filial piety and its influence on women's career choices
- The rise of individualism and the "desiring self" among young Chinese women
- The complexities of marriage trends and the social pressures faced by single women
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the context of the study, outlining the rapid economic growth in China and its impact on women's lives. It highlights the rise of the "leftover woman" stereotype and the conflicting pressures faced by educated, career-driven women.
- Background: This chapter delves into the historical and social context of the study, exploring the concept of "leftover women" in Shanghai and its social implications. It examines trends in marriage and the evolving role of women in the workforce.
- Existing Research: This chapter reviews existing literature on "leftover women," the marriage squeeze, and the experiences of urban daughters in China. It also explores the complex relationship between filial piety and intergenerational obligations.
- Theoretical Framework: This chapter introduces the theoretical framework that underpins the study, drawing on concepts such as intergenerational obligations, filial piety, descending familism, the divided self, and the desiring self.
- Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methodology used in the study, detailing the research design, interview methodology, data collection and analysis techniques, and ethical considerations.
- Analysis/Findings/Results: This chapter presents the findings of the study based on the qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with single professional women in Shanghai. It explores their experiences with intergenerational obligations, filial piety, the desiring self, and navigating the marriage market.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study focuses on key concepts like intergenerational obligations, filial piety, the desiring self, career women, leftover women, and the broader socio-cultural context of contemporary China, particularly in relation to demographic trends and social policy.
- Quote paper
- Nicole Skoglund (Author), 2020, Women Hold Up Half the Sky, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1009618
