Summary Of The Video 'A World Without Fathers Or Husbands'

In the video “A World Without Fathers or Husbands” is set in Lijiang, China, which is in Southwest China. Women in Lijiang is wear traditional clothing, which remind them of a time women were held to a very high status and were respected more than anyone else. This was a time when both women and men did not marry. Neither gender were forced to marry or be tied to one person, they both could have as many boyfriends or girlfriends they wanted, and this was something nobody complained about at all, they were actually quite pleased to do without the ritual of marriage. However, this did not last due to Prince Yung gaining the throne of China in 1723. When the Prince sent representatives out into the field to improve this land in any way possible,

they were shocked to come across Lijiang and all the freedom that they had. To change this freedom of sexuality it was decided that the parents would decide who their child spends the rest of their life with. This decision was based on wealth and social status, not feeling or desire. If they did not agree to this arrangement, the only other alternative was death.

Because of this, many people snuck off to mountains to sing songs and committing suicide with someone they love, rather than spending the rest of their lives with someone they don’t. This became so well-known across China that Lijiang became known as the city of lover’s suicides. Today these stories are all a thing of the past, and getting married has become a traditional thing. Some even believe that women having multiple lovers and were held to such a high status is all just a made up theory. Years ago anthropologists traveled up the mountain from Lijiang to visit a group of people known as the Moso. The first thing noticed when arriving is the way women acting. Most Chinese women at this time are shy, and don’t speak much, while these women are vocal and open. Also, these women work all day, doing everything that their families require, while the men only work when there is something that needs to be done. When asked about it the women just say that it has always been this way, and actually prefer it, they have a big sense of pride for the work they do. The story this custom is said to originate from is there was one a boy that loved working around the house, but the women teased him for this making him feel weak and

insecure. So this boy stopped what he was doing, and from that day did not do any more house work and his family lived on happily. In this region they also discover that they do not have marriage and have several lovers like Lijiang once did. No matter what the number of lovers, the village did not disapprove. Many women have lovers that are the main lover and accepted by the family, while other lovers are to sneak around at night and none of the woman’s family are to have any knowledge of this. These men are to arrive after dark and leave before light, these occurrences are known as furtive visits. Women could have several men waiting for her, but once she chooses the one she wants, the rest go to another woman. They look at sexuality as something that you shouldn’t commit and give to one person and attaching feelings is looked down upon, so jealous people are made fun. The Moso believe that the woman is already carrying the fetus, a man just sprays it, so it doesn’t matter who that man is, and the child will grow up the same no matter what. It is almost like the fetus is a plant, it doesn’t matter what kind of water you pour on it or where the water has come from, and the plant will still grow the same flower. This is a custom that I personally wouldn’t like because I would want to live with all of my family including my father.