Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China

by Leta Hong Fincher
Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Nonfiction
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  • ID: 6147
  • Added: 2025-11-03
  • Updated: 2025-11-03
  • ISBN: 9781783607907
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2016-07-31
  • Reviews: 3

In the early years of the People's Republic, China made significant strides in gender equality, but these gains have been eroded in the post-socialist era. Contrary to media portrayals, women in China face structural discrimination that affects their rights and opportunities. In 'Leftover Women,' Leta Hong Fincher exposes these issues and the broader damage they cause to China's economy, politics, and development. The book delves into the systemic challenges women encounter and the societal shifts that have led to this regression, providing a critical examination of contemporary China.

Reviews
Pacific Affairs · 2014-05-23
insightful 4.50

The book exposes new facets of gender inequality in China, achieving immediate acclaim for its insights. It highlights the dire situation and the vast scale of the problem, with China's female population making up nearly one-fifth of all women.

This book has been praised for its ability to shed light on the often overlooked aspects of gender inequality in China. The author's thorough research and compelling arguments make it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the current state of gender issues in the country. The situation described is dire, and the scale of the problem is vast, affecting a significant portion of the female population. The book's immediate acclaim is a testament to its impact and relevance.

Quick quotes

    Fincher's slim book, aimed at a general audience, achieved immediate acclaim for exposing new facets of gender inequality in China.

    The situation Fincher describes is dire, and the scale of the problem is vast—China's female population makes up nearly one-fifth of all women.

    The book includes many quotes and personal stories that add depth to the analysis.

LSE Review of Books · 2014-04-14
revealing 4.00

The book debunks the myth that women have benefited from China's economic reforms, revealing the institutionalized discrimination against women in their late twenties and early thirties.

This book challenges the popular belief that women have prospered in post-socialist China. It uncovers the systemic discrimination that women face, particularly those in their late twenties and early thirties. The author's pathbreaking analysis is based on extensive data and personal interviews, providing a nuanced understanding of the issue. The book's insights are crucial for anyone looking to understand the complexities of gender inequality in modern China.

Quick quotes

    This book is based on her PhD project on the under-researched connections between leftover women, China's property market, and gender inequality.

    Leta Hong Fincher's pathbreaking analysis (2014) of an effectively institutionalised culture of discrimination against women in their late twenties/early thirties.

    The book includes many quotes and personal stories that add depth to the analysis.

Goodreads · 2014-01-01
revealing 4.00

The book reveals the unequal shares of China's growing wealth, showing how women have suffered a rollback in their rights and opportunities.

This book provides a vivid and thoroughly documented account of how women in China have experienced a setback in their rights and opportunities. The author's thorough research and compelling arguments make it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the current state of gender issues in the country. The book's insights are crucial for anyone looking to understand the complexities of gender inequality in modern China. The situation described is dire, and the scale of the problem is vast, affecting a significant portion of the female population.

Quick quotes

    "Leftover Women" debunks the popular myth that women have fared well as a result of post-socialist China's economic reforms and breakneck growth.

    In her thoroughly documented book Leftover Women, sociologist Leta Hong Fincher shows in vivid detail how women in China have suffered a rollback since those reforms.

    The book includes many quotes and personal stories that add depth to the analysis.

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