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Anonymous.
Rob_Hugo@PortNWI have a newfound sense of respect for FEMALE migrant workers after reading both articles about migrant workers in China.
As an educated American college student the concept of a community (as in Sichuan and Anhui villages discussed in the reading) that does NOT value education first and foremost is foreign and I would deem such a community ignorant and foolish especially if such communities like that existed in America. However when I thought about it I realize that the only reason I am personally so hung up on pursuing a "higher education," and opening my mind to as many ideas and cultures and I can is primarily because I have had the privilege of growing up in the United States and in a culture where there is a particulary heavy emphasis on education and making something significant of one's life. My goals and dreams today are a result of our culture conditioning me to believe that my goals and dreams are the "right ones" to follow. So, in rural villages in inland China where life is. . .well "rural" and agriculturally-based, Chinese women's futures are pretty bleak and dull in comparison to the average American women. When these Chinese females grow up in such an unmotivating environment I can understand why not every young female would be actively pursuing successful careers outside of their village as American society expects of us.
In fact the reason I have such respect for women migrant workers is because if I had instead been raised in a rural village China I honestly don't think I would have the motivation and "know-how" to go against the grain and start a life for myself in an urban city WHEN "everyone else" was just doing what they could to survive in their home village. All in all I just wanted to give props to the still fairly small population of women migrant workers who would dare venture outside of their village and attempt to support their families by working relentlessly in the city.
Anonymousthis is kind of off topic to your first post, but it has to do with the reading at least..
When I was reading the article I noticed how some women WANTED to continue working, but were discouraged once they were in their twenties (the "marriagable age"), had a fiancee, or after they got married. I realized that many girls (well I think many.. me at least!) today are under the same type of pressure. I'm here at ucla trying to get a good education so that I'll have a good career with which I can support myself, but a part of me feels like is all this work really worth it? Once I get married I might decide to give up my career for a family. When I'm 35 or whatever, I may be happy to do this and I'm not saying anyone's going to force me into it, but that doesnt change the fact that all of the work I put in here and wherever i choose to go to graduate school might well not be the beneficial to me (esp. all of the debt! :~ )
what are your guys' feelings on this? have u ever felt like that?
Anonymousi agree totally with ctran's post... while i was reading the article, i found a lot of similaries between the situations and constraints of migrant women and those of females today. It seems like that even after all these years, females continue to be faced with the same decisions and obstacles as women of the past. Now granted, society today is a lot more open to the careers of women and there are a lot more opportunities available, but it seems like no matter what, females will always remain constrained by their duties as wives and mothers. After marriage, women are expected to bear children and to take care of them, forcing many to choose between career and domestic duties. It is rare that mothers are able to devote much energy and time to a major career without neglecting their roles as mothers. Sometimes, I wonder if there's even point for me to go to grad school and to get a masters degree. I want to be successful and to have a really good job, but there's always a part of me that remains torn between what i want and what i kno i have to do.. cus when i do get married and have children, i want to be able to have time for my kids and to be there for them, which means that most likely, i would have to make sacrifices when it comes to my career.[Edit by="qpang on Jun 6, 12:43:36 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousI've also considered this problem, and it shows that it is a universal challenge for young women. However, I do think that I will focus on my career and education as much as possible and then take a few years off when I decide to have children, so that I can properly raise them. I believe that it is crucial for women to empower themselves through higher education and promising careers not only to increase female representation, but also to protect themselves. For example, I know of some family friends where the wife does not have a job or education because she is taking care of the kid and finds herself stuck when she wants to leave the husband but she cannot support herself financially. However, I definitely believe that it is important for mothers to devote as much attention as possible to their kids, so I think after I have worked for awhile, I will take some time off and eventually go back to work.