WOMEN IN CHINESE SOCIETY: THE PATH FROM TRADITION TO SOCIO-CULTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS

Abstract

The article presents the results of the Ukrainian-Chinese educational and research project ‘Education in a Globalized Society: Philosophy, Management, Culture, Modern Trends, Economic Options and International Practices’, one of the aspects of which was to study the socio-cultural aspects of the development of modern Chinese society on the example of the role and social status of women.The purpose of the article is to show the peculiarities of the evolution of women's social status in Chinese society from traditional models to modern socio-cultural transformations based on the results of the Ukrainian-Chinese project.The methodology of the article is based on a combination of empirical (observation, description, generalization) and theoretical (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) methods, which allowed for a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of the transformation of women's social status in China. The hermeneutic method allowed us to interpret traditional philosophical ideas about femininity (Confucianism, Taoism), and the systemic approach allowed us to understand the role of women as an element of a complex socio-cultural structure. The comparative historical analysis revealed the dynamics of gender changes from imperial times to the present, and the content analysis of modern media allowed to assess the representation of the female image in the information space of China.Scientific novelty. In the Ukrainian scientific discourse, a comprehensive study of changes in women's gender roles (on the example of China) in the context of the transition from traditional to modern socio-cultural practices has been carried out, and the definition of the dynamics of women's emancipation has been further developed, revealing the modern image of women as active participants in public and cultural life.Conclusions. The social status of women in China is undergoing profound changes under the influence of modernization, although traditional norms still have a significant impact. Confucianism and Taoism have shaped patriarchal ideas that legitimized social inequality. Despite legislative initiatives, women face discrimination, stereotypes and pressure to fulfil family roles. The beauty industry has a significant influence, dictating standards of female behavior. At the same time, there is an increase in women's social activity, economic independence and participation in public space. Achieving true gender equality requires not only legal support but also a rethinking of cultural and educational strategies. The modern Chinese woman increasingly embodies a new model of an active social subject capable of changing society.