On Women's Education Of Northern And Southern Dynasties

Northern and Southern Dynasties was a constant time of war, frequent change of the feudal dynasty made the whole community in turmoil. It also made it a special period for the development of education. Long-term social division and turmoil seriously hampered the development of official education, compared to the prosperity of education in Han Dynasty, the education in Northern and Southern Dynasties which developed in a uncertain way was indistinct and disconnected. By contrast to it, women's education in this period developed greatly. Apart from the women from upper class, civilian women had also access to education. The content included not only the women's four virtues but also culture education and religion education. Women's education content and methodology can be systematically organized from"Family Instructions of Yan Clan", ranging from prenatal education, the relationship between sisters-in-law, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and step-mother-child and so on, which greatly broadened the scope of women's education and age. A lot of women achieved success by no means inferior to men and became teachers in family education, by which they inherited and developed the culture and education of family and made a great contribution to the cultivation of talents for the family. Some outstanding women were recognized and respected by the ruler and society by holding public office or engaging in social activities, they not only contributed to the development of the society, but also promoted the women's social status to a certain extent. All these made them a wonder in the development of education in ancient China.