“持家好帮手”：话语对保姆劳动身份和政治角色的塑造及演变(1949∼1956)

Abstract

This article analyzes the shaping and evolution of labor status and political role of the baomu(nanny) in the early days of the People’s Republic of China from 1949 to 1956. Taking historical perspective, this study examines the process of “discourse-identity” construction of the new image of women through text analysis of the official publication from the All-China Women’s Federation——Women of New China. During the three antis movement, some forms of media exposed the phenomena of some women cadres exploiting baomu, withholding the baomu’s wages or beating and scolding baomu in their daily life. This phenomenon indicated that, first, women cadres need to conduct more in-depth self-examination and self-education through the real-name system and open discussion. Second, the All-China Women’s Federation appealed to women cadres to eliminate the ideology of exploiting class and conduct a profound self-examination. Third, with the gradual emergence of problems with baomu, it clarified the knowledge and understanding of the work of baomu. With the help of the idea of “the glory of labor,” they reconstituted their role and their identities among women. In other words, the term baomu was expressed as the identity of working women as “the good helpers in housework.” It is clear that traditional and state discourses are more likely to indicate a state of coexistence. This relationship strengthens a woman’s role and permits the reconstitution of identities within women. This paper further finds that although the baomu in this period also got the title of “comrade(tongzhi)” in the determination of social status and work treatment, the baomu were still facing great challenges from the legal and social aspects.