Women as Individuals and Their Families in Chinese Rural Aera

A Case Study in Longtan Village, Anhui Province

Abstract

This paper examines conditions of farmers’ life in China with a focus on women who has remained in rural areas in the increased social mobility today. Although we found that many women have moved away or become migrant workers, it is not uncommon for women to reside in the district. They are not released from helping with farm work and multiple household chores, childcare and so on. But there have raised expectations to women as cash earners due to the increase of off-farm employment opportunities within commuting distance. In this context, while childcare and childbearing are seen as compulsory, especially for the younger generation of women, the expansion of social sphere of friendships through employment opportunities and the rise of domestic status because of their cash income have enabled women to have a certain amount of leisure time activities and initiative in the family budget management. In this way, we can confirm and discuss the current situation in which women are gaining a certain degree of autonomy as long as being bound to domestic roles.