Chinese Women Under the Reformed Rural Economy ‐ Will They Be Better Off?

With the implementation of economic reforms in the countryside the family is again becoming the basic unit of production, which decides what work to do and where, who should perform which tasks, and how income and profits should be spent. Socialist principles should ensure that benefits accrue to women from the economic reforms but they are also creating new problems. Following a general discussion of women's roles in the economy and the nature of the present reforms, the article gives detailed consideration to three areas of particular concern to women: obtaining education, relieving household chores, and restraining birth rates. The author suggests that the traditional preference for sons is a further factor working against women's interests.