The Chinese state media has been marking International Women’s Day for years with exuberant praise for the women of the country, thanking them for their contributions and sacrifices to their families, society and the country.
But this year, a video with targeted questions about deep-seated gender bias disappeared from the usual compliments – taking Chinese social media by storm.
The video was a collaboration between Chinese skincare brand Proya and China Women’s Daily, the official publication of the state-run All-China Women’s Association, to mark International Women’s Day on Monday.
What’s in the video?
The video begins with the presenter speaking into the camera and asking a question that is repeated throughout the clip: “Under what circumstances do you judge something based on gender?”
“When we see a traffic accident, we say, ‘Oh, a female driver.’ We say, “You really have a nerve, you’re not a girl at all.” We say, ‘You’re so quiet, you’re not manly,’ she says.
The video then highlights a range of gender norms and prejudices against women, from being bad at math to expecting to ‘get married well’ and focus on family life.
“We ask women, ‘How do you balance your family and career?’ But we never ask men the same question ”, says the presenter.“ We ask, ‘What does it mean to be an independent woman?’ But no one ever discusses what it means to be an independent man. ”
The video also questions gender norms and roles that Chinese men must fulfill. For example, the presenter asks why “a real man” should not cry, such as learning the color pink or ballet.
Why don’t men have the right to be vulnerable? Why is it derogatory, not praise, to say to a man ‘you are like a woman’? Why are good qualities such as gentle, thoughtful, family oriented, or neatly exclusive to women? “Is it true that only men can be independent, courageous, strong and career-oriented?” Asks a group of voices – both women and men – towards the end of the clip.
Contrary – and in line with tradition – other public media marked International Women’s Day by praising Chinese women for their contributions to society.
People’s Daily, the official mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, on Tuesday called on the public to pay tribute to “Her strength”.
Making young Chinese men more “masculine”?
The campaign is in response to the suggestion by a delegate from China’s top political advisory body that the country should prevent the “feminization” of teenage boys, who he said had become “weak, timid and low in self-esteem”.
The Ministry of Education’s call to action is not the first official attempt to address what the state media calls the “masculinity crisis” among young Chinese men.
Under Xi, China’s nationalist leader, the government has turned against male celebrities, from movie stars to boy band members, who are considered too effeminate. In 2019, major video streaming platforms in China started censoring male actors’ earrings, fading their earlobes.
But in the eyes of the Chinese authorities, the lack of “masculinity” is not just a matter of taste, but also a major risk to the country.
In 2018, the state-run Xinhua news agency released a much-quoted comment that said, “Whether a country embraces or rejects (effeminate men) is … a serious matter affecting the country’s future.”
The article turned its ire at wildly popular male idols and blew up the “morbid aesthetic” that had brought “gender-ambiguous, heavily makeup, tall and delicate” young men to stardom on television and online.
“The phenomenon of ‘sissy men’ has caused a public reaction because the impact of such a morbid culture on youth cannot be underestimated,” he said. “When critics say ‘sissy young men are becoming a sissy nation,’ they may sound a bit laughable, ” it added. unhealthy culture. “
In response to this, a growing number of so-called “masculinity programs” aimed at instilling traditional gender roles in boys and young men through outdoor sports and classroom training have become popular in recent years. In 2018, one of those Beijing clubs drew attention – and some criticism – for letting its students run shirtless in the height of winter.
On Weibo, many users applauded Proya and China Women’s Daily’s video for speaking out against the trend.
“This is the best International Women’s Day promotional material I’ve seen in 24 years,” said a comment. Another said, ‘There is no’ what I should become ‘. I have the right to choose my own life forever. “