Life of the silk road ( Tang Dynasty) - Essay Example

Consequently, prompting some women start having male concubines, which during then were acceptable and even right. Since, this trend was evident from the empress to the simple in the society, though the latter due to their husbands’ dominion complied with their unions’ precepts. Political arena also included the female gender where in most cases men exhibited approval besides other numerous fields, which even to date men deem they are not womanly (Ya-chen 77). Gender issue in the Tang Dynasty had a liberal stand due to women’s freedom, which this study seeks to expound (Ya-chen 75).

The entire society besides accepting the idea of divorce, it also allowed the widows to continue with their sexual life (Ya-chen 75). Hence, an implication that men’s control by then did not have strict rules (Ya-chen 75). This is because women had the courage to request for the termination of their marriages and even remarry, a factor, which the emperor supported. Hence, “four daughters of the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty married twice, and six daughters of the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty married twice” (Ya-chen 75).

This exhibited a liberated society whereby both genders despite having their distinct roles, love to them meant a quest for happiness and satisfaction. This is because of the women’s decline to be recipients of exploitative actions especially from their spouses thus; they had the freedom to define themselves besides deciding whom to cohabit (Ya-chen 75). In addition, the two genders in the kingdom where able to assume similar roles especially in the political arena (Ya-chen 77). This was contrary to the bordering dynasties, whereby they devalued the status of a female gender to extend of not having any say regarding the running of their states.

Conversely, Tang Dynasty exercised equality especially in the political arena whereby women who exhibited distinguished character became government officers (Ya-chen 77). Besides, these women had the power to decide or even plan about their destinies and what they intended to attain without consulting their husbands, for instance, during Wu Zetian’s reign (Ya-chen 77). This is evident from the then period’s women scholars, for illustration, Song Ruochao who was a female xushi and Yu Xuanji (poet) (Ya-chen 77).

Studies contend, “Tang Dynasty is often depicted as a golden age for Chinese women, a period of relative autonomy and power prior to their subjugation under the Neo-Confucianism of the Song Dynasty …” (Lewis 179). Since, its trend entailed excessive interaction of both men and women where the latter who emanated from an affluent background some kept male concubines (Ya-chen 76). This was after women market had shifted from the streets to their households, a trend that was common with divorcees and widows (Lewis 179).

However, this freedom yielded to the degrading of the female gender, which later the Buddhism refuted sharply besides emphasizing on widows’ chastity. Because, the former dynasty’s liberty encompassed morals’ degradation coupled with women especially the courtesans sometimes silencing their men while arguing. This is because besides being arrogant, they were also proficient in martial arts; hence, their male counterparts did not dare to challenge them in the public (Ya-chen 77). However, some of the poor courtesans severely suffered especially those who sought