50
Jing Zhou
Engineer of
Shanghai Airport
Authority
N owadays, Feminism is burgeoning in our society and women
have been awakened by the idea of that. Women in modern
society have been liberated, but the path is still long. The
traditional concepts and deeply rooted culture attached to
women themselves still cannot be immediately converted.
The path of women’s liberation has lasted hundreds and
thousands of years. From high status in matriarchal society to no
status in Feudal society, there has never been an era like today that enabled women
to be themselves. Many prominent women such as Korean President Park Geun-
Hye, US former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Chancellor of Germany Angela
Merkel all have achieved a lot of accomplishments in their fields. In Shanghai and
many other international cities, women are not the symbol of weakness anymore,
and they have more access to similar educational and employment opportunities.
Of course, women are still discriminated against. Women and men have physical
differences instinctively. In traditional concepts, women are mostly dependent
on men. They don’t have to work hard to make a living as their responsibilities
are serving husbands and taking care of children. If a successful woman doesn’t
have a family, she is seen as a failure in others’ views; If a woman doesn’t have
children, then she is condemned by her family members or relatives. Women
who have the same ability as men can sometimes only be secretaries or assistants,
while men always have more decisive positions. The few outstanding women who
prove their abilities with work are criticized as “disobedient” or “overpowering.”
Being influenced by these ideas, women thus lose their identities and willingness to
explore their capacity.
I am an independent woman, but I am not willing to define myself with the
word “Feminist” or “Able woman.” For me, the word “Feminism” can easily
cause struggles and aggression. What I admire more within that concept is the
awakening of women. Even though people see me as a powerful woman, I prefer
accepting the idea of “Autonomous woman.” I see feminism as how women praise
themselves instead of being accessories of families. They are the ones who are
self-motivated, independent and enjoy their self-values and beauty. Overall, I think
anything is possible for women, and nothing can constrain our development.