From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 036 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: This essay explores what men from 1930s Shanghai perceive as ideal feminine virtues. It discusses the balance between traditional roles and modern expectations of women.
The Ideal Woman in a Man’s Eyes
(Original Title: 男子心目中的女德)
Many friends studying abroad wonder about the roles of women today. Speaking with them reveals that modern Chinese women, through the eyes of men, showcase a new boldness that warrants careful study. First, the subtle expectations on women—seen as natural—are actually worth examining. Equality in rights and responsibilities may appear simple, but in practice, these expectations shape educational and societal norms that are anything but equal.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent