Chinese American Workers: Past & Present

Section 3: Working Women

Similar to American society, Chinese traditional culture dictates that women are inferior to men and that the woman's position is in the home, bearing and raising the children. Here in America too, Chinese women are often pressured by traditional customs to marry young and raise a family. Because their place is considered to be in the home, they are generally discouraged from participating in any cultural, social or political activities. Yet, at the same time in taking care of the family, they have developed concern for others and, therefore, a growing interest in broader social problems.

The economic situation of most immigrant Chinese families would not permit the women to remain in the home; they also have had to go to work to assist in supporting their families. In addition to carrying the responsibility of raising the children, they have become a part of the American labor force; they have found that American employment discriminates against women, especially non-white women. The majority of them have only been able to find jobs in low paying garment sweatshops where they must endure long hours and unhealthy working conditions. Whether at work or in the home, their problems and oppression as women are rooted in their position as a cheap labor pool.

Working women experience exploitation and deteriorating living conditions similar to working men, and, therefore, share a similar outlook as well. Chinese women, along with other women, are gradually becoming an active and powerful force in many of the struggles to gain their rights as workers, to gain equality for women, and to combat discrimination against non-white people.

The articles in this section address various aspects of their lives: their jobs, families and children. The articles depict their strong spirit of resistance to the oppression and exploitation they must face.

 

Section 3: Women Workers

Section 2: Present Workers' Conditions

Section 4: Chinese Youth

 

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