Face-Off: The U.S. vs China
Feminist Rebels
Mar 11, 2025
Leta Hong Fincher, author of "Left Over Women" and research associate at Columbia University, joins Rana Mitter, a Harvard historian of modern China, to discuss the evolving role of women in China. They explore the term 'leftover women' and the societal pressures that hinder women's independence. The conversation dives into the impact of recent feminist movements, the struggles against traditional marriage norms, and the influence of the Me Too movement on gender dynamics. They shine a light on women entrepreneurs navigating a patriarchal society.
39:10
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Quick takeaways
- The Chinese feminist movement is gaining momentum as women increasingly resist societal pressures to marry and embrace personal autonomy.
- Despite legal advancements against domestic violence, enforcement issues persist, complicating women's efforts to assert their rights and seek protection.
Deep dives
The Evolution of China's Population Policies
China's response to declining birth rates has seen a significant evolution in family planning policies, transitioning from the one-child policy in 1979 to a three-child policy introduced in 2021. Despite the official changes, women's participation in the state's demographic goals has been minimal, as many resist the societal pressure to conform to traditional roles of motherhood and marriage. The government's attempts to incentivize childbirth include limited benefits, which fail to meet the needs of modern women who prioritize personal fulfillment and career over family. Consequently, many women are choosing to remain single and childless, reflecting a broader social shift away from previously mandated family structures.
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