Between Tradition and Modernity: Gender Inequality and the Struggle for Equality in Contemporary China

• In Event: 30620 - Section on Inequality, Poverty, and Mobility Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 5: Gender Inequality

Abstract

Despite China’s rapid modernization and economic growth, gender inequality remains a persistent issue, deeply embedded in cultural traditions, state policies, and socio-economic structures. While feminist movements and legal reforms have contributed to the improvement of women’s rights, traditional Confucian values, filial piety, and heteronormative expectations continue to shape gender roles in ways that disadvantage women and gender minorities. This paper examines the intersections of gender, sexuality, and power in contemporary China, focusing on family structures, the labor market, academia, and the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The study reveals that women face systemic discrimination in both domestic and professional spheres, struggling with workplace bias, motherhood penalties, and the expectation of caregiving responsibilities. In academia and professional fields, institutionalized gender biases limit women's career advancement, reinforcing patriarchal hierarchies. LGBTQ+ individuals remain largely invisible in policy discussions and public discourse, constrained by heteronormative and binary gender norms.

This research is significant as it contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality in non-Western contexts, offering insights into the complex and contradictory forces shaping gender norms in China. By critically analyzing these dynamics, this study highlights the urgent need for structural changes in policies and cultural perceptions to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Author

• Weifeng Tao, University of Oxford