“Mencius’ Mother” follows Mencius on his journey from boyhood to manhood. During this time, his mother plays a role in shaping the man he becomes. She determines where he grows up and what he does and the kinds of things he learns. Through this parenting, she is also praised alongside her brilliant son. However, I find the way a mother is depicted to be problematic when compared to the feminist ideals of today.
Mencius’ mother says “A woman’s duties are to cook the five grains, heat the wine, look after her parents-in-law, make clothes, and that is all! Therefore, she cultivates the skills required in the women’s quarters and has no ambition to manage affairs outside of the house” and that a woman is her husband’s until widowed, and then becomes their son’s. This old way of thinking diminishes the value of women in society to a rigid gender norm of being kept in the house and having no autonomy. The Book of Songs, which “superior” men refer to, enforces this gender norm.
Mencius, on the other hand, reaps the benefits of his mother’s conformity. In the end, he becomes responsible for her as she once was responsible for him. This makes him question things. Still, “superior” men say that what his mother is doing is right, so he’d better for it.
While I don’t dislike the story, I dislike the way so much weight is put on the mother. While she is receiving credit, it’s in a way that conditions women to believe they can’t be more than an influence for their sons.