Family Life
The Merchant’s Family life was similar
to other families of the time, despite their lower status in society. The
Chinese family was ruled by the father of the house. His wife and children were
required to obey him in all things. Women generally took care of the home and
raised the children. Marriage partners were decided by the parents and the
preferences of the children getting married often had little impact on the
parent's choice.
A big part of Chinese family life was the respect of their elders. Children of all ages, even grown-ups, were required to respect their parents. This respect continued even after people were dead. The Chinese would often would pray to their ancestors and offer sacrifices to them. Respect of the elders was also part of the religion Confucianism.
Because of their status a Merchant’s children generally didn't get the chance to go to school, as they were required to work hard in the shops or the fields. The Merchant sons sometimes did get a chance to study in the hope of getting a higher status occupation regardless of their father’s status.
Those who went to school worked very hard, because school prepared you to take the government tests, and whoever scored highest on the tests could get a good job in the Chinese government. In order to give jobs fairly to the smartest men, only the test scores counted - not who your father was, or how much money you had, or how good a fighter you were.
The daughters were required to stay home and learn how to look after the house and family.
A big part of Chinese family life was the respect of their elders. Children of all ages, even grown-ups, were required to respect their parents. This respect continued even after people were dead. The Chinese would often would pray to their ancestors and offer sacrifices to them. Respect of the elders was also part of the religion Confucianism.
Because of their status a Merchant’s children generally didn't get the chance to go to school, as they were required to work hard in the shops or the fields. The Merchant sons sometimes did get a chance to study in the hope of getting a higher status occupation regardless of their father’s status.
Those who went to school worked very hard, because school prepared you to take the government tests, and whoever scored highest on the tests could get a good job in the Chinese government. In order to give jobs fairly to the smartest men, only the test scores counted - not who your father was, or how much money you had, or how good a fighter you were.
The daughters were required to stay home and learn how to look after the house and family.