From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 030 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: This essay explores various traditional and scientific methods used in the 1930s to predict the gender of an unborn child. It provides a mix of cultural beliefs and early scientific approaches prevalent in Shanghai at the time.
Predicting Your Baby’s Gender
(Original Title: 預測孕兒男女的方法)
In the realm of predicting an unborn child’s gender, a myriad of methods emerged during the bustling 1930s in Shanghai. From examining the effects of strontium iodide to relying on traditional Chinese beliefs, parents eagerly sought answers. Traditional methods often compared a mother’s physical changes and cravings, believing that these could hint at the baby’s gender. Meanwhile, scientific experimentation began to surface, offering more systematic approaches. Though varying in credibility, each method held its allure, weaving together the hopes and curiosities of expectant families.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent