Meteor Garden

-       Violence against women

In Meteor Garden we see many examples of violence against women, specifically against Shancai. Daoming Si doesn’t know how to control his emotions, he lashes out and hurts Shancai when she refuses to kiss him. He is physically and emotionally abusive towards her and makes her upset and fearful. We learn that Daoming Si lives alone without his parents or anyone to love him, we don’t learn why his Dad is not around but we know that his mum has a high profile job in London, she never rings or calls and as suggested by Shancai, he is lonely. Although his violence is not justified I feel that the lack of a parent in his life has left him feeling vulnerable and alone, he lashes out possibly as a cry for help but likely because he does not knw any better, In later episodes we find out that his older sister is also hot tempered and lashes out physically when mad, Daoming Si has most likely got his example from his sister and it is all he’s ever known.

 

Although it is  it violent we do see other examples of women not being respected in the show, at a party we see a young girl hit on by a much older man, we also see many examples of young women idolising men, this gives the impression that in this world men are in charge and women are treated as second class citizens, all the figures of authority that we see in the show such as the schools’ principal, are male. In general I do not think violence emotional or physical towards women is justified, however, I feel in this case that Daoming Sis actions are as a consequence of a cold and unloving childhood.

I think that he really does love Shancai however he needs to learn to control his emotions instead of using his past as an excuse.