March 8 is well-known as the International Women's Day to commemorate women rights movement and to advocate economical, political and social equality for women. Instead of women’s day, have you ever heard about another version of Women’s Day in China---- Girls' Day on March 7 for young ladies? The Girls' Day is increasing popularity among young people in university campus.
What’s the Girls' Day?
As a version of Women’s Day for young ladies, the Girls' Day is originated from Shandong University. On that day, male students will celebrate Women’s Day for peer female students before March 8.
For translation and culture gap, the Women’s Day is called into funü jie(妇女节)in Chinese. Moreover, funü is stereotypically related to married and not younger ladies. Besides, the date March 8 is also easily connected with sanba(三八)in Chinese, which is a negative and dirty word to describe rude and hysterical women. So, the young girls are excluded on that day. Therefore, the March 7 is set for young girls and avoided the bad meanings. Recently, influenced by consumerism and spread by social media, Girls' Day has become a school culture in university for male students to show their concerns for female schoolmates. On March 7, red wishing banners written by whole class males students will hang out in campus and the male students will also give some presents to ladies.
some red wishing banners on campus on Girls' Day
Best Wishes in the Red Banners
Red banners with best wishes from male students hanging around the campus is a great impression for Girls' Day. Walking around on campus, the red banners are everywhere.The followings are some red wishing banners from the male students.
“No matter what the ratio of boys vs. girls is, you are always in our hearts”
“You just eat, and I will grow; I make money and you take care of it”
“Life is for programming. Today is for the girls”
Generally, with concise speaking, the banners denote students’ major characteristics and all of these banners share a common that the man schoolmates express their care for female students through saying that girl peers are the best and the perfect ones. The image and positions of ladies are praised and raised highly.
Immersed in tremendous creative compliments, most ladies are moved by what the male said. They enjoy the feelings brought by man that girls are in the center of the world on Girls' Day The superiority to be a lady makes them forget the unfairness for women in the society.
In my views, those flattering to ladies in Girls' Day is just a way for male to show off their masculinity and self-respect. The girls are lauded to the skies by man, which is man’s control to praising women.
Male’s praising seems respects but it truly comes back to the traditional binary gender view that there are only two gender, male and female. Furthermore, the girls are said to be taken more care by the men, which strengths the frail images for women.
Refuse to Girls' Day
As educated students, we should firmly say no to Girls' Day. Here are some reasons:
On the one hand, getting out from the honey made by the male, the female who receive higher education should care more about the real issues for women equal rights and the real meanings for Women’s Day. In the labor market, gender discrimination is still a critical problem in China. Most employers openly emphasize the principle of man first. The ladies cannot gain the same payment as the man for the same work. Most important positions are still controlled by man. Wherever in the government or in the companies, few women are leaders. Culturally, leftover lady (old single women), strong women and tough girl are unpopular groups.
On the other hand, separating Girls' Day from Women’s day, ladies agree with the traditional language discrimination on women from males perspective that the term “Women” in Women’s Day ----funü (妇女),are old married women ; the dates sanba(三八) are rude feminine images ;and the term Girl is about young, fragile and innocent ladies protected by men. Conclusively, it is meaningless to celebrate Girls' Day on March 7.
More articles about Girls’ Day in China
I've never heard of Girl's Day before this, but it sounds like it's just a day to practice benevolent sexism, as opposed to Women's Day where we honour the achievements and struggles that women face.
ReplyDeleteyeah, it seems so.
ReplyDelete