Women in Acient China
Men had the rights in marriage over women. If they talked too much, disobeyed them, caused adultery and other things considered as sins, then the man would be allowed to divorce the wife. If she produced a daughter over a son, she would be left for someone else. She would cook for the family and would be relied on for survival of the family. The males would provide money and would work.
When women grew older, they had to do all of the housework. This involved preparing food, cleaning and looking after their children. They were forced to have a son as a child, not a daughter. Men would humiliate the women constantly. Husbands would treat the wives like slaves. Widows would be awarded to a death penalty if they tried to remarry. As the women would reach an old age, they were much more respected. Some peasant women would have to work in the field with their husbands if they wanted more money. They also had options to work and do spinning, weaving and sewing.
Empress Wu was the only female emperor in the history of China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty and was one of the most effective and controversial monarchs in China's history. She was very important and has a big impact on the Chinese history. Emperor Wu was given the position of first concubine even though she should have been left in the temple as a nun, by law. In 660 CE, Wu was assigned the emperor of China. She did not hold that title but she was the power behind the office and took care of imperial business even when pregnant with her daughter.
When women grew older, they had to do all of the housework. This involved preparing food, cleaning and looking after their children. They were forced to have a son as a child, not a daughter. Men would humiliate the women constantly. Husbands would treat the wives like slaves. Widows would be awarded to a death penalty if they tried to remarry. As the women would reach an old age, they were much more respected. Some peasant women would have to work in the field with their husbands if they wanted more money. They also had options to work and do spinning, weaving and sewing.
Empress Wu was the only female emperor in the history of China. She reigned during the Tang Dynasty and was one of the most effective and controversial monarchs in China's history. She was very important and has a big impact on the Chinese history. Emperor Wu was given the position of first concubine even though she should have been left in the temple as a nun, by law. In 660 CE, Wu was assigned the emperor of China. She did not hold that title but she was the power behind the office and took care of imperial business even when pregnant with her daughter.