25Jan Ancient Chinese Seven Wife Abandonment Standards
The “seven wife abandonment standards” were the ancient Chinese laws, etiquette and customs of the seven conditions that allowed a man to divorce with his wife. When the wife met any one of the conditions, the husband or his family could propose divorcement. The seven conditions existed to support the interests of the husband and his family. They were simply a way to oppress the women. This helped the men became dominant in ancient society and led the fate of the women to be abandoned by the husband freely.
The Seven Conditions for Wife Abandonment
The customs appeared after the Tang Dynasty, but its content was entirely based on the Han Dynasty’s moral literature.
1. Disobedient to Parents
This means the wife is not filial piety to the husband’s parents. After the woman is married, her husband’s parents are more important than her own parents. Disobeying the husband’s parents is contrary with the moral of filial piety, which is a very serious matter
2. Sonless
This means the wife cannot give birth to a son. A family without a son means the end of the family line for traditional Chinese family. It is important to have a son to carry on the family name, so a wife that cannot give birth to a son will make the whole marriage meaningless.
3. Lasciviousness
This means the wife is having sexual relationship with other man other than the husband. This unusual sexual activity was thought to cause confusion in the antecedents and the family blood of the born children
4. Jealousy
This is mended for wives who are easily jealous. A jealousy wife will cause chaos in the family. Ancient Chinese believed in wife treating husband as law as the ideal marriage relationship. Another point of view says that wife’s jealousy will affect husband marrying more wives, hence threatening the continuation of the family.
5. Having Deadly Disease
Referring to the wife who is suffering from serious disease. Wife who has deadly disease could not participate in offering sacrifices to gods or ancestors in ancient China. It was important for every family members to participate in ancestor worship.
6. Talkative
Referring to wife who talks to much to like to gossip. The reason for this condition is because this sows discord between family members. Women have lower status in traditional Chinese family and it is thought that they should not give too much opinions. A wife is a family outsider, and being talkative might cause discord among family members.
7. Stealing
Referring to stealing things.
It was easy for ancient Chinese men and their family to divorce with their wives (or sent their wives away) as long as it involves the interests of the male family. It was harder for wives to propose divorce with their husbands.
Source: Tianjinwe
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January 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Now this is interesting..
because none of us will be meeting that 7 requirements at all …lolx
shows why men now shouldnt keep more than 1 wife