Weaver of the Moral Landscape

[Deanna Wiist]

In Robin Wang’s discussion of virtue, I was particularly drawn to “In each of these stages, the function of a mother is valued, not as a mere care-giver, but as an intricate stimulus to the child’s basic moral outlook. Mencius’ mother is not simply a weaver of cloth, but the weaver of Mencius’ intellectual, spiritual, and moral landscape.” The statement reinforces the thesis regarding the complexity of womanhood and the recasting of the historical perspective of women in China. This perspective elevates the role of mother and the role of women. Mother as role model. Mother as teacher. Mother in control of education. Obviously, women with children have agency. They shape the younger generations. Traditionally, women without children did not have the same power. They were not revered by society.

I think that, to some degree, the same attitudes toward mothers and women without children still exist today—and not just in China. Childless women in the United States are often regarded as selfish or lesser than other women. I could envision some interesting conversations regarding these topics in my classes.