Lorna S. Wei
Assistant Professor, Central University of Finance and EconomicsArticles by Lorna S. Wei
Society
Egg freezing in China: A woman's right to have control over her body
Currently in China, assisted reproductive technology (ART) can only be applied to married couples with infertility issues. Social egg freezing (SEF) is prohibited in most regions of China, except Jilin province. The case of Xu Zaozao, a single lady who sought to freeze her eggs, has cast more attention on this issue. Chinese academic Lorna Wei points out that even as women advocate for the right to decide if she would like to freeze her eggs, they may be stuck in a continuing patriarchal trap.
Lorna S. Wei
14 Jul 2023
Society
A personal account of Tangshan's dreadful societal culture
The Tangshan assault case unearths deeper societal issues such as an insidious guanxi culture that has condoned the practice of turning a blind eye. Worse, ordinary folk no longer even bat an eyelid at such "norms" anymore. When that happens, is the recent violence enough to jolt society and the authorities to do things differently?
Lorna S. Wei
21 Jun 2022
Society
'The world has abandoned me': Chinese women married into slavery?
Chinese academic Lorna Wei says that the authorities' determination to root out human trafficking may waver, but netizens' voices speaking up for the victims - often women married off into other counties - will not be silenced. This may be the only comfort that countless women suffering alone can take solace in.
Lorna S. Wei
25 Feb 2022
Society
New Great Wall of China against Covid-19 built with flesh and blood of the little people
Musing that it will be a muted Chinese New Year celebration this year for migrant workers and those struggling to make ends meet, Lorna Wei asserts that Covid-19 has changed the lives of the people forever and in the World War III being fought, future generations must remember that it was the full cooperation and obedience of ordinary folk that won the war.
Lorna S. Wei
31 Jan 2022
Society
Was the Tang dynasty the golden era of women's rights in China?
Just as women in China today, especially rural women, have to contend with male favouritism and diminished rights, women in the Tang dynasty were also restricted by rules and social practices, even if the era in which female emperor Wu Zetian ruled was thought to be the golden era of women's rights.
Lorna S. Wei
10 Dec 2021
Society
Animal protectors and feminists hindering pandemic work in China?
Sadly, a Chinese pet owner in Shangrao, Jiangxi province, had the dubious honour of witnessing via pet monitor the culling of her Welsh corgi, right before her eyes. The perpetrators? Covid-19 community workers who have now given their peers a bad name. This is not just an issue of animal rights, Lorna Wei asserts, but also one of privacy and information disclosure, personal safety, and the abuse of power.
Lorna S. Wei
22 Nov 2021
Society
Rape accusations in China: When wives protect their errant husbands
The alleged rape case involving a former Alibaba manager kept netizens riveted as charges were dropped as quickly as arrests were made. Unlike the #MeToo movement in the West where many of the victims rally around each other to seek justice against their oppressors, in China, the female victims - those preyed upon and the wives of the alleged perpetrators - seem to be fighting each other in the aftermath of tragedies. Why aren't the males involved manning up and owning up?
Lorna S. Wei
24 Sep 2021
Society
China's forced drinking culture a submissive test for Chinese women
In a deeply misogynistic society, some men take agreeing to drink as consent for inappropriate behaviour or even sexual assault. Society compounds the problem by judging the victims and perpetuating their cycle of self-blame. It should instead focus resources on changing people's attitudes about women. Equally important is educating men and women about consent - no really means no and only yes means yes.
Lorna S. Wei
27 Aug 2021
Society
Why Chinese women are unwilling to give birth
Respect. Lorna Wei says the nub of the issue in the low fertility rate in China lies in that one word. Growing up in a patriarchal society, daughters in China have for years been looked upon as second to sons. When they become wives, mothers and daughters-in-law, they shoulder the bulk of familial duties while trying to keep their jobs. Any fertility policy should first address greater equality between the sexes. Only when parents are assured that their burdens will be shared can they look forward to having more children.
Lorna S. Wei
18 Jun 2021
Society
Women leaders in China: Why people are more interested in their love affairs
Chinese academic Lorna Wei notes that there have been several strong and powerful women throughout China's history, but their political achievements have often been dwarfed by stories of their love lives. It's not more women leaders China needs, but better ways of telling their stories, she says.
Lorna S. Wei
23 Apr 2021
Society
Foot-binding in ancient China: When women fought against their genes to be beautiful
A mischievous saying goes that there are no ugly women, only lazy women. The care one puts into one's beauty regime determines the beauty standards she can attain. But in the days of ancient China, such effort went to extremes: young girls were forced to have their feet bound. After tremendous pain in pursuit of mignon dainty feet, they attained short yet ironically bulbous "golden lotuses". Are such unreasonable demands of beauty foisted on women by men, or a shackle that women put on themselves? If it seems unimaginable that foot-binding continued in China for a thousand years, just think of the pain some go through in modern cosmetic surgery.
Lorna S. Wei
05 Feb 2021