Chinese women in transitions : western feminist perspectives.

By applying a synthetic theoretical framework from theories about women, gender relations in development, and in socialist societies, this thesis critically examines the status of women in China during the period from 1949 to early 1990s, covering aspects of macropolitical institutions and policies, gender relations in everyday life and ideology. I argue that in socialist China, the level of national economic development, the control of the government, the Chinese Communist Party and traditional Chinese gender culture are the most distinctive determinants in gender relations. In the Market socialist period, more factors have joined to contribute to make the gender issue more complex. I conclude that the transition from socialism to Market socialism does not indicate an instantaneously optimistic future for Chinese women but rather gradual opportunities