A Resource Guide for Students and Teachers - Bowers Museum

Traditional
Values
Workers use tools
to uncover shards
20 TERRA COTTA WARRIORS
Family was very important to the
Chinese. If a family could afford
it, as many as 100 relatives would
live in one household. Most
common people could not afford to
live this way, but common households
included grandparents.
Sons were considered to be more
valuable than daughters because
they could carry on the family name.
Men were expected to work and
women were expected to keep house
and raise children. Children were
expected to obey their parents, and it
was not against the law to kill a child
who disobeyed. Most marriages were
arranged when children were born,
and often the bride and groom did not
meet until their wedding day.
Modern Way
of Life
Although the Qin dynasty lasted
only 15 years, the influence
of the First Emperor has
continued to this day. When
Mao Zedong brought communism
to China and created the People’s
Republic of China in 1949, he praised
the First Emperor for his foresight
and ability to carry out programs that
benefited the people of China. Time
has softened the view of his cruelty,
and his determination continues to be
admired by the people of China.
Because of Western influences,
modern China has changed. The
people dress like westerners and
modern high rises and apartments
can be seen everywhere. Both males
and females work outside the home.
Families live in smaller groups,
generally adding grandparents who
watch after the home and children
who are not yet attending school.
Children are still expected to be
respectful, to obey and to uphold
family honor. Marriage is more likely
decided by the couple, but they include
their parents in the decision.
Rural families tend to hang on to
traditional values, still living in mud
and straw houses, still valuing a male
child over a female, and continuing to
arrange marriages.