Women and the Family in Rural Taiwan

by Margery Wolf

Studies of Chinese society commonly emphasizze men's roles and functions, a not unreasonable approach to a society with patrilineal kinship structure. But this emphasis has left many important gaps in our knowledge of Chinese life. This study seeks to fill some of these gaps by examining the ways rural Taiwanese women manipulate men and each other in the pursuit of their personal goals. The source of a woman's power, her home in a social structure dominated by men, is what the author calls the uterine family, a de facto social unity consisting of a mother and her children. The first four chapters are devoted to general background a brief historical sketch of Taiwan and a description fo the settings in which the author's observations were made; the history of a particular family; the relation of Chinese women to the Chinese kinship system; and the interrelationships among women in the community. The remaining ten chapters take up in detail the successive stages of the Taiwanese woman's life infancy, childhood, engagement, marriage, motherhood, and old age. Throught the book the author presents detailed information on such topics as marriage negotiations, childbirth, child training practices, and the organization of women's groups.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, History, Social Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Erica Weng · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a cold, calculating, and lonely world to be a woman in rural Taiwan. first time I heard of the practice of adopting daughters for your sons' future marriages.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing look into women’s lives in rural Taiwan by the wife of an anthropologist from 1958-60, then returning in 1968. Margery Wolf describes these women’s life from birth to death and oh so much in between, with complete impartial, objective and unprejudiced views. Highly recommended!!

[Francesca Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for college but very insightful

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A way of life that is alien to me. I love the cover photo-very telling!

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

classic!