stances also caused abortions; such incidences included having anaffair, extreme starvation and hunger, and poverty.43 On the other hand, divorce allowedmen and women to find true love and happiness with someone they cared for. Divorcecould free them from a family they had no emotion for, and allow them to become moreindependent and carefree.44 The customs of the West were greatly different from traditional China. Westernideas began showing up in Chinese women, when they started breaking ancient traditionsand becoming less filial towards their in-laws or elders(yelling and talking back tothem).45 Women would begin demanding things or possessions that they admired. They ate only half a bowl of rice when it was improper to not finish the every piece of rice. Theywould no longer act distant towards their husbands like society wanted, but instead askthe husband to finish their meals or even carry them up and down the stairs.46 Soonafterward, Western influence took control of hairstyle, appearance, and clothing. Waved,bobbed, and short hair flooded the streets of China. Women wore white gauze shirts withtight brassieres clearly visible underneath and knee-length skirts and high-heeled shoes,worn with flesh-colored silk stockings.47 Other types of modern apparel, instead of longdresses, included hats, navy woolen jackets, jeans of various colors, and different typesof skirts. Finally, makeup, eyeliner, red lipstick, and other treatments were used on theface regularly.48 Chinese women owned a paradoxical role in society because, although they wererestricted in education and society, women also were necessary and vital in makingsociety function correctly. While Chinese society initially held on and believed in thetraditional ways, roles, and customs, the government soon realized that this would notwork. Practices such as arranged marriages, concubinage, and footbinding, indicated aflawed character and connected the women to the past. What is im...
