Pathological Narcissism in Chinese women (how culture can impact ones mental state)

Discussion in 'Mental Health' started by Carlfloydfan, Sep 16, 2010.

  1. Carlfloydfan

    Carlfloydfan Travel lover

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    I found this article to be an interesting read, although a few of the quotes are totally incorrect:

    http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/narcissistic-types-chinese-women.htm

    An interesting quote from the article:
    "While it needs to be stressed that not all Chinese women suffer from disorders of the self, the single-child policy combined with pervasive traditional Confucian values and beliefs in regard to the superiority of males has created a culturally-specific and unique vulnerability to the development of pathological narcissism in many of China's female population."

    This gives you an idea of birthing a girl vs. boy in traditional China

    When a son is born,
    Let him sleep on the bed,
    Clothe him with fine clothes,
    And give him jade to play...
    When a daughter is born,
    Let her sleep on the ground,
    Wrap her in common wrappings,
    And give broken tiles to play...
    From the Book of Songs (1000 – 700 B.C.)

    "...girls in China face a very unusual set of culture-specific dynamics unknown to the same degree in other societies. On one hand, their arrival into this world will be met with profound disappointment, especially by their fathers who may regard and resent them as a lost opportunity to perpetuate the family name, and both parents will fear an uncertain future in their old age." Fear, because even to this day, a majority of the Chinese population are in rural areas, where farming is still a main means to survival, and thus, they want a strong boy to help out around the fields. Plus, he is more likely to be able to support the family in old age (since China doesn't really have a social security system).

    Anyways, feel free to read on.

    I've been living in China for 18 months and I can say, there is definitely no shortage of girls with daddy issues and narcissistic women where I am living. But in a way, the girls aren't to blame. Instead, some of the past policies and 4-5000 years of tradition and it being a patriarchal society.

    What do you think of the article?
     
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