[Jennifer Chang]

Learning about the "Escape the Corset" movement was really inspiring. I really enjoyed reading that there were young artists that were challenging the norms and pressures of beauty standards in South Korea, and I hope that they continue to gain more voice and support in the future. With the Kbeauty products and image of Kpop girl and boy bands gaining so much popularity not just in Korea, but also globally, I wonder what the trend will look like 10 years? Will their movement grow? Get more pushback? The US has also had a movement of being inclusive of all types of bodies and shapes in many beauty advertisements. I wonder if we will see the same trend in South Korea. 

I also thought it was interesting that Jeon mentioned the mixed results of her movement. She is now treated equally and has access to information that she wouldn't have gotten before. However, she is conflicted as it seems like she is not seen as a woman, but rather just one of the guys. 

[Jennifer Chang]

Hi Joy, 

Thanks for sharing your student's story. It made me upset to hear that the parents continued to pressure the child, but after reading your explanation, it also makes sense why they would do so. They really do believe that by getting cosmetic surgery their child will be successful in the future - wanting what is best for their children. I also thought it interesting that they yearned for society's approval of not only their child, but also of themselves (having enough wealth) - caring very much about what others think about them.

[Jennifer Chang]

Wow, Midori! Thank you for sharing that link! I do remember that lawsuit from a while back, and did not know that it had been an internet hoax. How unfortunate that the model and children has had to suffer because of this. This also shows the power of social media and internet, and negative effect it can have on people's careers. 

[Jennifer Chang]

I really enjoyed today's lecture with Professor Miyake. I appreciated the fact that we explored the role of gender through several analyses of literature throughout the different time periods in Japan. Because we were able to interact with the prose and poetry, I feel I have a greater depth of understanding of women and men in each Japanese era. This is definitely an exercise I'd like to do with my own students, even with pieces of literature in other ancient civilizations that we explore in 6th grade. 

The reading with Shikibu was also a really great way to introduce the blatant gender differences in classical Japan, and also how there were gender differentiated languages (Classical Chinese vs Japanese). This would be a great activity in which students can critically discuss why Shikibu pretended to be unable to read, why she had to teach the empress in secret, why her father said it was pity she was not born a man. 

[Jennifer Chang]

Hi Nira, 

You bring up really good points about androgony in Asian cultures, and its prevalence in Asian dramas. This image of the ideal man really promotes a man that is sensitive the women's needs. While this type of man seems to be growing in popularity in Asia, I wonder if the same trend will follow in America or in other parts of the world. 

[Jennifer Chang]

I was also surprised at how easily the man joked in the film when he called his granddaughter small happiness and his grandson big happiness. 

[Jennifer Chang]

I found these comics on filial devotion rather fascinating and some almost appalling to read. I was most shocked at the story of "Burying Son to Save Mother" and how the couple justified their action by saying that "We can have another child but not the mother". It really does showcase (in this case, very extremely), the couple's devotion to their parents. However, it also goes against the core idea of the importance of reproduction. I wonder, in the story, how the grandma would react if she were to find out that the couple had buried her grandson alive in order to save her. Would she be on the same page as the couple? 

I am also very curious to use these cartoons/stories of filial piety with my students. I can already imagine several of my students having very negative reactions and opinions to some of these stories, and am interested to the discussion it would lead to. I also think that these stories are really great to introduce as we do cover Confucianism in our Ancient China unit. 

[Jennifer Chang]

You bring up a good point about Ban Zhao's confidence in being able to instruct women on how to lead an exemplary life, but also describe herself in these lowly terms. I wonder if these words were used to make herself seem more humble and modest, again keeping that image that she would like women who read her works to achieve. 

[Jennifer Chang]

Please let us know if you find out about the marriage laws in California! 

[Jennifer Chang]

What an interesting and informative lecture by Dr. Yan today! I really enjoyed how he thoroughly explained and compared how the roles in the family shifted from ancient to contemporary China. What really made everything connect was when he showed us a chart of the family tree labled "The Generation-age-gender hierarchy in Chinese family", broke down the privileges that each member had which was defined by their position in the family, and then explained the importance of having descendants to continue worshipping you and remembering you in the afterlife. I would not want to become a hungry ghost and be driven away!! These core ideas make it easier for me to understand why people were so keen to make sure their lineage was continued, and why they made sacrifices to ensure this. Sacrifices made by women such as Wang Rui in "Being the Right Women" (fulfilling the role of a dutiful mother at the expense of her career) eventually gave her an "increased sense of self-worth and status within the family". I guess, at the end of everything, her sacrifices were well worth it? 

In my 6th grade classroom, I would love to introduce this Chinese family chart in discussions about ancienct China, and then have them compare and contrast it to the dynamics in their own families. 

[Jennifer Chang]

Hi Kimberly! 

I was also very disapointed that Wang Rui chose to sacrifice her career in order to become a super mom and an ideal wife. I also have some friends in Japan and Taiwan and they do mention their unwillingness to give up their careers in order to get married. However, they also mention the tension this causes when discussing this issue with their parents. 

Ban Zhao's writings were definitely very influential to these women, and I couldn't help but come back to the part where Zavoretti mentions that Wang Rui had a very well thought out strategy when she was looking for Mr. Right - and the end goal was to create a stable and prosperous family. Do you think deep down she already knew what her future would look like? 

[Jennifer Chang]

Hi all! My name is Jennifer Chang. I am currently teaching 6th grade Social Studies and Science at an independent school in Pasadena. I am loking forward to meeting all of you!

[Author]

Posts