Korea Describe How Gender and Family Roles Essay

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Korea

Describe how gender and family roles differed from the Kory? To the Late Chos-n dynasties. What brought about these changes?

The Choson dynasty was one that was unique for its time. During this period, women's rights were very rare, and in many cases, obtrusive. For instance, sons were given priority over daughters. Men were seen as more powerful than women in regards to socio-economic status, voting rights, and over jurisdiction. This dynasty therefore was characterized by male dominance relative to their female counterparts. Laws during this period were heavily skewed towards males. For instance, Choson Dynasty law prohibited widows from remarrying, though a similar prohibition was not extended to widowers. Further, the sons and grandsons of widows who defied the ban, like children of secondary wives, were not allowed to take the civil service examinations and become scholar-officials. This examination, particularly during the Choson dynasty was very integral to financial and socio-economic well-being. The duty of a woman to her husband, or rather to her husband's family, was absolute and unquestionable. In the traditional society, only men could obtain a divorce. A husband could divorce his spouse if she were barren -- barrenness being defined simply as the inability to bear sons. Even if a husband did not divorce his wife, he had the right to take a second wife, although the preferred solution for a man without a son during the Choson Dynasty was to adopt a son of one of his brothers, if available.

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The Koryo dynasty however, was characterized with equality between men and women. In many instances, women held prominent positions within society. Female shamans were also ritual leaders and held great influence over the royal family. Property inheritance was equal between sexes. Women of the Koryo court had significant influence on politics as consorts, wives, and regents. This dynasty created vast amounts of wealth and prosperity as society was equal and utilized the full potential of its constituents. The change ultimately occurred through the adoption of neo-Confucian rituals and customers. According to Confucian custom, once married, a woman had to leave her parents' household permanently and then occupy the lowest position in her husband's family. In these instances, women were often abused and mistreated. Giving birth to a son was the ultimate form of honor under these rituals. As such, men were naturally held on a pedestal, whereas women were seen on a lower….....

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