論中國性別史研究的多元交織

Intersectionality and Chinese Gender History

本文探究多重因素及其交織如何有助於開展中國性別史研究的課題與視野，文中參酌華文史學界與漢學界較為忽略的交織性理論（intersectionality）之概念與研究方法，再思傳統中國階層、族群與性別之交會，並強調突出中華文化脈絡的自有交織變項（例如：嫡庶、長幼等倫理階序關係）之重要性，期待以此深掘中國性別史之特性與複雜面向，突破當前「性別因素獨大」的研究困境，促使性別史與主流史學對話，或也可補西方性別理論對中華性別文化認識的不足。

This article examines how intersectional theories and methods can expand the scope of research in Chinese gender history and foster new paths of inquiry. The author argues that the study of the dynamics of gender in Chinese history could be further enhanced by reconsidering the historical intersections between class, ethnicity and gender, rather than adopting a “gender only” or “gender first” viewpoint. Such an approach would expand our analysis of gender identities, taking into account various intertwined factors such as the hierarchical distinctions between generations, birth-order, and marital rank (primary wives, concubines, and their offspring), as well as ethnicity. A broader analysis of the intersection of these factors will provide us with more nuanced approaches and a deeper understanding of gender in Chinese history. Moreover, the author is hopeful that this research will contribute to a better dialogue between historians of gender and those of other fields, while also encouraging research on gender theory by offering further insight on Chinese gender culture.