The original meaning of "male superiority and female inferiority

The original meaning of the term "male superiority" was that men should be just and selfless, and that men should be self-reliant, while women's inferiority was that they should be humble, kind and virtuous.

"Male honor and female inferiority" is a word that talks about how men and women should live harmoniously in life and marriage, and in no way instigates any inequality between men and women. "Respect" is a verb here, "male respect" is to say that the male should be highly respected, to make people respect, respect. The word "humble" is also a verb here, and "humble" in the ancient language means humble, close, and intimate.

Thus, the true meaning of "male honoring female inferiority" is: if the male can be respected and respected, the female will naturally approach you, get close to you, and assist you in a modest way. There is not a trace of disharmony and inequality here, which is precisely the sign of harmony between men and women.

The so-called "male superiority" is actually just a different division of labor, there is no meaning of inequality between men and women. If a man can be selfless and self-reliant, then a woman will be humble to him. Only in this way will society and the family be harmonious, and women will naturally have the appropriate status and rights.

The severity of the ancient feudalistic ideology of men's superiority over women

First of all, it is reflected in the political aspect. In ancient times, women were strictly forbidden to take part in political activities, which was stated as early as in "Zhouyi - Family Members" that women's rightful place was inside and men's rightful place was outside. This means that a woman's proper business is to be a good wife and mother at home and not to go out to participate in other activities.

Duke Heng of Qi, the first ruler of the Spring and Autumn period, even put forward the rule of not making women in the country. Not only that, women were strictly prohibited from taking the imperial examinations, from joining the army and from engaging in politics throughout the dynasties.

The second aspect is economic. In ancient times, women were not allowed to have private property, could not lend or give away their family property, and even the dowry that accompanied the dowry was treated as the property of the man. When her husband died, it was not the wife who inherited the estate, but the man's son. If the man does not have a son, she can only use it for her old age and is not allowed to buy property.

Again, there is the aspect of education. The Rites of Passage (礼记-内则) stipulates that after the age of ten, a man may study with a teacher and learn the six arts. Women, on the other hand, were only allowed to learn some weaving chores in the boudoir and were not allowed to learn culture. That is, ancient China has always emphasized that a woman without talent is virtue, thus depriving women of the right to education.