Issues and Challenges in

Confucianism
Issues and Challenges in Confucianism
•Confucianism is a belief system that
intends to achieve social order. However,
it also wants to set up a path and
establish limitations for the people, such
as women’s roles.
Confucian Virtues and
the Feminist Challenge
Confucian Virtues and the Feminist Challenge
• Feminist ideas have challenged Confucianism
because it is believed to have tolerated gender
inequality and oppression through its virtues,
customs, and traditions.

• Said to have failed to acknowledge women’s

capacity and abilities. Instead, they are seen as
wives and mothers.
Confucian Virtues and the Feminist Challenge

•Difference in Men and Women’s

education. This affects their roles in
Confucian Society.
Education of Men and
Women
Education of Men and Women
• The expectations are high for males in a
Confucianist society.

• Their social reinforcement of the values of

Confucianism came through increasing their
levels of higher education.
Education of Men and Women

•Men has to study Confucian

Scriptures to uphold the value of
Confucianism.
Education of Men and Women
• For women, Higher Education and Formal
Education is not available. But their role in
society is deemed relevant.

• During Han Dynasty, tradition for women’s

education was made. Also, it included
Commandments for Woman, written by Pan
Chao a Scholar.
Education of Men and Women
• Commandments for Women addresses their
Moral Responsibilities.

• Though Confucianism gives high regards to the

role of women, it gives them inferiority to man
due to their limited opportunities.
Confucian Virtues and
Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
• Confucian Virtues are the means to achieve self-
actualization and nobility.

• Nobility : Path towards achieving Social order

• Must be kept tolerate activities that manifest

gender inequality and oppression, especially
towards women.
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
The Confucian Virtues

•The continuity of the Family Name

•Filial Piety
•Ancestor Worship
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Continuity of the Family Name
• It is essential for Confucianism because this
means that the family has a harmonious
relationship
• This custom implies that the functional role of
women relies on her to have male descendants,
which eventually led to infanticide and
concubinage
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
• Female infanticide is a strategy to increase the
possibility of acquiring a male child and
reserving the limited resources in the upbringing
of the male heir.

• Concubinage happens when the principal wife

cannot have a child or fails to bear a male heir.
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Filial Piety
• Filial piety states that the descendants must show
respect, love, and care to their elders and
ancestors. It is also the most important confucian
virtue.

• Additionally, It is expected from the son and only

the son can defy their parents.
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Filial Piety

• According to Xunzi’s Zidao or The Way of Son,

there are three reasons why a filial son should not
follow the parents’ command:
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Zidao / The way of the Son
• If it endangers the parents

• if it brings shame to the parents

• if it renders one’s parents beast-like [i.e. uncivil]

Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Ancestor Worship
• Only the son is expected to conduct the worship
that is done through marriage.

• First is the sacrificial ceremony in the ancestral

temple and then the continuation of the family
line.
Confucian Virtues and Gender Inequality and
Oppression
Ancestor Worship

• The wife is Expected to assist the husband during

the ceremony, and be functional by bearing a
male heir.
Criticisms on Filial Piety
Criticisms on Filial Piety
• It comes from the idea that Confucianism
encourages self-actualization.

• Still, It does not allow the individual to follow

their chosen path to actualize oneself and are
limited to family traditions
Confucian Virtues and
Authoritarianism
Confucian Virtues and Authoritarianism
• Political authority and legitimacy in
Confucianism do not rest on the consent of the
people or democratic institutions but rather on
the moral values of social harmony, and those
who uphold these values have the authority to
rule.
Confucian Virtues and Authoritarianism

•This particular belief makes

Confucianism more inclined to
authoritarian ruling rather than a
democratic one
 End of Presentation
Issues and Challenges in
Confucianism