Hong Fincher, Leta Ph.D. — Gender Inequality in China: Part One Leftover Women

What this episode covers

The erosion of gender equality in China is the topic of this two part series with Leta Hong Fincher, the author of “Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China.” This book is based in part on her research for the Ph.D. in sociology she received in 2014 from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. In our first conversation we discuss governmental, social and family pressures on women to marry by age 27. Those who don't are characterized in cartoons and posters as “leftover women.” We also discuss the why home ownership deeds are most often only recorded in the name of the husband, regardless of the fact the wife has made a significant if not great financial contribution. In the second conversation, we discuss issues of domestic violence in China and treatment of women in the workplace. When Leta Hong Fincher and I visited by phone on August 9, 2014 we began our conversation with her description of the term “leftover women.” The book Leta Hong Fincher recommends is “The Birth of Chinese Feminism: Essential Texts in Transnational Theory,” by Lydia H. Liu, Rebecca E. Karl and Dorothy Ko. Click here to listen to the program or on the media player below.

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.