The expanding role of township women: a community investigation on the political and economic participation and educational status of the female population of Jinghai Town
Tan, L.; Wang, Y.; He, Y.; Shen, S.; Li, H.
Chinese Journal of Population Science 6(1): 37-48
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 1044-8403 PMID: 12288177 Document Number: 374767
A sample survey of women in Jianghai Town near Tianjin in Jinghai County along China's northern coastal area was conducted in 1991. The study aim was to provide descriptive characteristics of women's marriage and reproduction, and political, economic, and educational participation. In 1990 female population was 21,600, or 43.5% of total town population. 80% of the town area was nonagricultural. Study materials included town records, interviews with government personnel and professional employees, and interviews with 150 women. 2365 female students and 2263 male students and 99 school administrators and teachers were interviewed. Results indicated that few changes in the proportion of government jobs occurred between 1982 and 1990, but women's acquisition of People's Congress positions increased dramatically. Communist Party platforms required female representation. 38.83% of the 25,786 employed population and 63.43% of total population were female in 1990. Between 1982 and 1990 female employment declined by 14%. 90% of teachers were women professionals. Other professional occupations were primarily male dominated. 32.45% of state owned enterprises (415) employed women, who were mainly in lower assistant positions. 46.7% of women of all ages and 7.7% of men were waiting for jobs; women had lower educational attainment. Although gaps existed between men and women educationally, 3.15% of women and 5.36% of men had college degrees. 6.16% of women and 1.7% of men were illiterate. School entrance rates in 1981 for those aged 13-18 years were 48% for females and 77% for males. By 1990 the high school entrance rate was 87% for females and 93.7% for males. A comparison of drop out rates showed that both sexes dropped out for family reasons. The recommendations were for improvement in women's social and family status, promotion of female education in a variety of ways in order to close the gap, improvement in the employment of women, and encouragement of women's participation in community activities.