<論文>子ども教育期における新中間階層の母親業 --上海市と南京市の女性を対象として--

Abstract

Due to the feminist movement, increasing numbers of women have become aware of domestic gender inequality issues and the strength of patriarchy. But, as some scholars have critically observed, by overemphasizing the domination of patriarchy, mothers are portrayed as helpless, passive victims. In China, women's issues have received more attention in recent years and there is a growing interest in motherhood. However, these researchers have also focused on the anxiety associated with being a mother and analyzed the reasons for this anxiety. As a result, mothers tend to be criticized and excluded by other women. However, there is active resistance among mothers and some recent Japanese research has succeeded in analyzing mothers' resistance. On the other hand, it is still difficult to ascertain what kind of resistance Chinese mothers have engaged in and the value of motherhood. Based on this question, this paper aims to elucidate the active side of motherhood and apply the ethics of care theory in order to discuss the value of motherhood. This paper uses participant observation and interview surveys as its methods and has selected the new middle-class mothers whose children are currently enrolled in education as its target since these women are known to be the most anxious mothers in China. As a result, new middle-class Chinese mothers experience anxiety during motherhood since considerable time and energy is consumed by accompanying their children and they also have to deal with the conflicts between them and their children. However, based on the ethics of care theory, they are able to deepen their awareness of their own identity and discover how to respond not only to the children's but also their own needs through practicing motherhood.