Challenging the Chinese Rural Mindset of Favouring Sons

A traditional Chinese rural mindset of favouring sons has been challenged as a family with four daughters, all of whom have married, brings joy and envy to their village during festive seasons. The daughters, along with their respective husbands, regularly visit their parents, bringing gifts and helping with household chores, thus dispelling the long-held belief that only sons can carry on the family lineage and responsibilities.

In rural regions of China, the age-old concept of favouring sons is deeply rooted, stemming from the agrarian social structure and the cultural need to continue the bloodline. It’s widely believed that sons, as the inheritors of the family lineage, can carry on the family business, take care of ageing parents and shoulder important responsibilities.

However, with the development of the economy and society in modern times, the…