I was looking forward to this Saturday because I’m always fascinated at how women are portrayed in history. In most situations and most countries, women are treated like second class citizens. This is also the case in China’s history. The readings by Gail Hershatter were extremely eye opening and for me very sad. I understand the times were very different, but it was the human condition that affected me.
I’m going to be focusing on her discussion and writings of midwifes. It is very clear through her writings and discussion that women were thought of as livestock. Not important except to bear children and take care of the children. In her writings she describes a midwife’s encounter in the 1950’s. I know this is told of women in the countryside, but it is still it was too common and very sad. After sending for the midwifes in time of trouble, “One of them pulled the woman’s left arm another pulled her right arm, and her husband pressed her waist. The third midwife took a razor and cut open her abdomen to pubis and still failed to take out the baby. At that time, the woman was in so much pain that she bit through two fingers and died in pain shortly pain.” (Page 347 #6 Midwife) It is also troubling to realize that had the child survived, and was a girl, it would most likely be killed anyway. The lack of medical care for women, especially in the countryside, has been an issue that I hope has been addressed.
The poor treatment of women, or really anyone, always makes me angry. I find it difficult to believe that people can look at human life as so trivial and unimportant. I always wonder if there was any such thing as love or people who cared for each other passionately. There must have been some, but those are never mentioned.
edited by cgao on 5/2/2016
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