Written by Effy Bat-Erdene, Class of 2025. 

On December 6th, 2024, the DKU Harmony Lab, in collaboration with the Gender Studies Lab, hosted an engaging roundtable event titled “Confucianism, Family, and Women.” This event brought together faculty members and students for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersections of Confucian philosophy, family structures, and gender roles. With a particular focus on the pressing birth rate crises in East Asian nations, the discussions explored Confucian values as both a lens to critically examine these challenges and a potential framework for innovative solutions.

The event began with an introductory presentation by Professor Roger Ames from Beijing University, a distinguished scholar in Confucian philosophy. Professor Ames reframed Confucianism not as a static “Eastern religion” but as a dynamic tradition of relational ethics rooted in intergenerational connectivity. Drawing on the tradition’s origins in ancestral sacrifices, he underscored the moral duties that bind past, present, and future generations. His keynote set the stage for participants to reconsider Confucianism’s relevance in addressing modern societal dilemmas, such as shifting family dynamics and demographic transitions.

Professor Sor-hoon Tan from Singapore Management University delved into the Confucian concept of family, describing it as a relational and hierarchical unit distinct from today’s nuclear family. She critically examined the centrality of the father-son relationship in traditional Confucianism while identifying its limitations in addressing broader familial and gender dynamics. This prompted a lively dialogue on whether Confucianism inherently perpetuates patriarchy or whether its core principles can be reinterpreted to support gender equality and inclusivity.

Professor Qian Zhu from DKU provided a historical overview of gender norms in modern China, tracing their evolution from the late Qing dynasty through the Mao era. Highlighting movements like the Tianzu (Heavenly Feet) campaigns and the emergence of the “new woman” in the 1920s, Zhu illustrated how women’s liberation was closely tied to nationalism and revolutionary ideals. Drawing connections to global influences such as Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, she underscored how feminist movements in China were both uniquely situated within Confucian traditions and globally resonant.

Professor Yu Wang, also from DKU, examined East Asia’s demographic crisis, including declining fertility rates, increasing divorce rates, and cultural stigmas surrounding premarital births. She discussed how generational shifts in attitudes toward marriage and parenthood reflect tensions between modern individualism and traditional Confucian values, which prioritize familial continuity and intergenerational obligations. Professor Wang’s presentation provided a sociological lens for understanding these trends and their implications for policy and culture.

The roundtable concluded with responses from DKU faculty members Professor Hwa Yeong Wang and Professor James Miller, alongside Wuhan University faculty members Professor Qin Liu and Professor  Yong Li. They offered critical reflections on the key themes from the presentations and emphasized Confucianism’s potential to contribute to global dialogues on gender and family dynamics.

The discussions were followed by a Q&A session, where attendees actively participated by raising questions and sharing their thoughts on the current implications. The event was a huge success, inspiring meaningful conversations about the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Confucianism in addressing pressing contemporary social issues.