Physical education classes will cure boys of ‘feminisation’, say Chinese

China’s education ministry has prompted a debate over gender stereotyping with its proposal to prevent ‘young men becoming feminised’.

A Chinese government adviser wrote a proposal aimed at “preventing young men from becoming feminised”. Picture: istock

The “feminisation” of young men can be stopped by improving physical education in schools, China’s education ministry has claimed, prompting a fierce debate over gender stereotyping.

A government adviser wrote a proposal aimed at “preventing young men from becoming feminised”, to which the ministry responded by saying the recruitment of better gym class instructors would cultivate masculinity in young men.

The proposal and response have set off strong views over gender stereotyping in a country that is largely conservative but where gender discrimination is starting to be challenged.

“Masculinity should mean ambition, perseverance, and sense of responsibility. Such character is essential to anyone, regardless of whether they are male or female,” said China Women, a newspaper run by the All-China Women’s Federation.

The ministry’s response implied its endorsement of the adviser’s proposal, drawing criticism that it was being openly sexist.

Cui Le, a PhD student at the University of Auckland’s faculty of education, told state media the idea that male femininity should be corrected was rooted in sexism. He said: “This approach to education will only encourage stereotypical gender concepts and enable serious bullying based on sexual identity and gender expression.”

The Times