To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presuma...To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presumably cultural, components. The results demonstrate that, in the traditional patrilineal Chinese family, both genetic relatedness and the cultural factor of generation were important in determining kinship status for male agnates (genetically related relatives). For female agnates, however, only genetic relatedness was important. Another surprising finding was that the influence of gender was not as important as genetic relatedness. The most interesting finding in this study, however, was that kin selection and culture (i.e., seniority in generation and age) played vastly different roles in different lineages in the Chinese family: for collateral (indirect) agnates, genetic relatedness was the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal (direct) agnates, its importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor. Several other bio-cultural factors also explained a considerable amount of variance in kinship status. Since kinship profoundly affected, and was often the foundation of, the legal and social systems in dynastic China, kin selection, while its strength may differ remarkably between lineal and collateral relatives, could act as a selective force in Chinese families展开更多
Chinese-American literature that grew up at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s not only increased in quantity but also broke through in theme and genre. From 1970s, Chinese-American literature has developed b...Chinese-American literature that grew up at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s not only increased in quantity but also broke through in theme and genre. From 1970s, Chinese-American literature has developed by leaps and bounds and a group of outstanding and innovative writers also appeared who earned the respect of literary critics and enjoyed a large number of American readers--for example, Maxine Hong Kingston (1940-) and Amy Tan (1952-) as novelists and David Henry Hwang (1957-) as a playwright. The woman warrior in particular is regarded as the work that marks the rise of Chinese-American literature in modem American literary history. This paper intends to argue the investigation of individual identity of Maxine Hong Kingston as a Chinese-American woman and the deliberate misinterpretation of Chinese traditions in The woman warrior. In addition, to create the collective identity of Chinese-Americans, the author actually takes the way of traditional Chinese movies that she has inherited and uses the highlights which are most appreciated by the Westerners to cater to their interests and fantasies.展开更多
This essay examines the autobiography of Chen Hengzhe (1890-1976) (see Appendix), a relatively less studied woman writer, historian, and critic in modem China. Through the study in four aspects, namely, the pursui...This essay examines the autobiography of Chen Hengzhe (1890-1976) (see Appendix), a relatively less studied woman writer, historian, and critic in modem China. Through the study in four aspects, namely, the pursuit of modem education, simple appearance, great leaders, and the ambassadors of culture, the author's research indicates that Chen's construction of"new woman" has been influenced by complex historical and cultural forces such as the Chinese traditional culture, Western culture, and the iconoclastic spirit of "the New Culture Movement". Meanwhile, Chen's gender consciousness is also an important element. Moreover, Chen's pioneering standing and her own experiences of studying abroad makes her take the lead in conceiving women's leadership and their roles in global culture communications. In the late Qing and the early Republic, traditional values and norms of womanhood were severely challenged. Chen's construction of"new woman" is her conscious effort to define a new womanhood and is an integral part of the ongoing exploration of Chinese women for modem womanhood. Through the examination of Chen's "new woman", this paper seeks to enrich our understanding of the complexity of modem Chinese women's exploration of modem womanhood.展开更多
In countries with long histories, traditional culture plays an essential role in shaping social norms and influencing contemporary development. Confucianism, one of the world's oldest philosophies, justified the legi...In countries with long histories, traditional culture plays an essential role in shaping social norms and influencing contemporary development. Confucianism, one of the world's oldest philosophies, justified the legitimacy of imperial China for about two thousand years but was attacked from the late Qing to the end of the Cultural Revolution. Ever since Deng Xiao-ping's economic reform, the Communist Party of China's legitimacy has been undermined, so the CPC has been facing a legitimacy crisis. The New Confucianism Movement has encouraged many scholars and officials to integrate a Sinolized Marxism and Confucianism dynamic for the CPC to employ as a legitimacy tool. This paper argues that Confucianism can help the CPC relegitimize its rule in China by using nationalism to strengthen traditional legitimacy and political, economic, and diplomatic development to increase its performance legitimacy.展开更多
文摘To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presumably cultural, components. The results demonstrate that, in the traditional patrilineal Chinese family, both genetic relatedness and the cultural factor of generation were important in determining kinship status for male agnates (genetically related relatives). For female agnates, however, only genetic relatedness was important. Another surprising finding was that the influence of gender was not as important as genetic relatedness. The most interesting finding in this study, however, was that kin selection and culture (i.e., seniority in generation and age) played vastly different roles in different lineages in the Chinese family: for collateral (indirect) agnates, genetic relatedness was the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal (direct) agnates, its importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor. Several other bio-cultural factors also explained a considerable amount of variance in kinship status. Since kinship profoundly affected, and was often the foundation of, the legal and social systems in dynastic China, kin selection, while its strength may differ remarkably between lineal and collateral relatives, could act as a selective force in Chinese families
文摘Chinese-American literature that grew up at the end of 1960s and the beginning of 1970s not only increased in quantity but also broke through in theme and genre. From 1970s, Chinese-American literature has developed by leaps and bounds and a group of outstanding and innovative writers also appeared who earned the respect of literary critics and enjoyed a large number of American readers--for example, Maxine Hong Kingston (1940-) and Amy Tan (1952-) as novelists and David Henry Hwang (1957-) as a playwright. The woman warrior in particular is regarded as the work that marks the rise of Chinese-American literature in modem American literary history. This paper intends to argue the investigation of individual identity of Maxine Hong Kingston as a Chinese-American woman and the deliberate misinterpretation of Chinese traditions in The woman warrior. In addition, to create the collective identity of Chinese-Americans, the author actually takes the way of traditional Chinese movies that she has inherited and uses the highlights which are most appreciated by the Westerners to cater to their interests and fantasies.
文摘This essay examines the autobiography of Chen Hengzhe (1890-1976) (see Appendix), a relatively less studied woman writer, historian, and critic in modem China. Through the study in four aspects, namely, the pursuit of modem education, simple appearance, great leaders, and the ambassadors of culture, the author's research indicates that Chen's construction of"new woman" has been influenced by complex historical and cultural forces such as the Chinese traditional culture, Western culture, and the iconoclastic spirit of "the New Culture Movement". Meanwhile, Chen's gender consciousness is also an important element. Moreover, Chen's pioneering standing and her own experiences of studying abroad makes her take the lead in conceiving women's leadership and their roles in global culture communications. In the late Qing and the early Republic, traditional values and norms of womanhood were severely challenged. Chen's construction of"new woman" is her conscious effort to define a new womanhood and is an integral part of the ongoing exploration of Chinese women for modem womanhood. Through the examination of Chen's "new woman", this paper seeks to enrich our understanding of the complexity of modem Chinese women's exploration of modem womanhood.
文摘In countries with long histories, traditional culture plays an essential role in shaping social norms and influencing contemporary development. Confucianism, one of the world's oldest philosophies, justified the legitimacy of imperial China for about two thousand years but was attacked from the late Qing to the end of the Cultural Revolution. Ever since Deng Xiao-ping's economic reform, the Communist Party of China's legitimacy has been undermined, so the CPC has been facing a legitimacy crisis. The New Confucianism Movement has encouraged many scholars and officials to integrate a Sinolized Marxism and Confucianism dynamic for the CPC to employ as a legitimacy tool. This paper argues that Confucianism can help the CPC relegitimize its rule in China by using nationalism to strengthen traditional legitimacy and political, economic, and diplomatic development to increase its performance legitimacy.