CWU Editorial Department Holds Seminar on Social Gender, Traditional Culture

On January 10, the editorial department of the Journal of China Women's University (CWU) held a seminar, their first academic conference on social gender and traditional culture to date. Some 20 experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Science, Renmin University of China, the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC, Beijing Normal University, Capital Normal University, the Chinese National Academy of Arts, Tianjin Normal University, the Gender and Social Development School of CWU, and the Editorial Department of CWU Journal participated in the event.

Those present discussed the influence of over 5,000 years of Chinese history and traditional culture on the systems of politics, economy, and education. This heritage has played a significant role in forming people's values, views on marriage and family, traditional gender concepts, and on women's social, political, and economic status, attendees said.

Since the 90s, a wave of learning about Chinese ancient civilization and Confucianism has spread throughout the world. It has become important to study how to reinforce national identity, integrate social values, and build a socially harmonious society with the power of excellent traditional culture.

Sexual relations are basic part of social relations. By analyzing sexual relations, researchers hope to understand the essence and origin of social relations and social system, and then, use social gender theory as a powerful tool in which to analyze politics, the economy, and culture, deconstruct gender inequality in the past and in modern society, and rebuild the existing social relations and system. Therefore, scanning the connotation and values of Chinese traditional culture from the perspective of social gender has important theoretical innovation and practical significance.

During the event, participants launched a heated discussion on several questions, including how to understand the concepts of traditional culture, Chinese ancient civilization, Confucianism and New Confucianism; how to study traditional culture and gender discourse in Confucian culture from the perspective of social gender theory; the impact of the Confucianism revival and New Confucianism on gender concepts; and how women and gender researchers can get involved in traditional cultural study. Through these discussions, the event further promoted research on social gender and traditional culture.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and edited by Women of China)