Ancient China Chinese Social Classes Family Children Social

Ancient China Chinese Social Classes, Family & Children

Social Classes Social structure was dependent on factors like occupation and habitation Ancient China didn’t have the concept of a caste system Believed in segregation on the basis of class

The Social Classes 1 st most important class: Shi-class of scholars also known as the gentry of scholars 2 nd most important class: Peasants Ran economy Agriculture was extremely important the Chinese society

The Social Classes Cont. 3 rd most important class: Craftsmen & Artisans Called Gong-represented labor Noted for art, architecture, and technological inventions 4 th most important class: Merchants & traders Backbone to active trading system

Family Viewed as the most important relationship for an individual Most essential institution of society System of joint family Children lived with parents and grandparents in one household

Children Deprived of education Most worked on the farm and in fields Only boys of rich families enjoyed the right to go to school Girls had to leave home after they were married and stay in their husbands house for the rest of their lives Many girls were married at a very young age

Children Cont. Poor farmer would often sell their daughters o rich families for money Discrimination was a huge issue between boys and girls Sons were viewed as more important than daughters Children were expected to know their limits and be obedient