Cross-Cultural Insights: Kingdom of Women and Modern Society

This discussion board post analyzes the documentary "Kingdom of Women" which explores the matriarchal Mosuo society of China. The assignment delves into the unique practice of 'walking marriage,' where women choose lovers but do not live in traditional marriages and raise children independently. The post examines how this practice reinforces other aspects of Mosuo culture and contrasts it with modern industrial societies. The author references the film and relevant academic literature to explore potential insights that modern societies can gain from cross-cultural research on marriage and family structures. The analysis covers the role of women in the Mosuo society, societal norms, and the potential for happiness, love, and freedom within a matriarchal framework. Ultimately, the assignment emphasizes the value of understanding diverse perspectives on life and family structures.

Running head: KINGDOM OF WOMEN: THE MATRIARCHAL MOSUO OF CHINA
KINGDOM OF WOMEN: THE MATRIARCHAL MOSUO OF CHINA
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1KINGDOM OF WOMEN: THE MATRIARCHAL MOSUO OF CHINA
In light of the film, do people living in modern industrial society have something to gain
from cross-cultural research on marriage?
After several years of research, a documentary presented by Silk Rain Media named
“Kingdom of Women” produced by CIN was released across the world. The documentary shows
the culture and lives of the Mosuo which is probably the only existing matriarchal society in the
world (Kingdom of women: The matriarchal mosuo of China, 2007).
Marriage is a universal institution that has a vital role in society. However, in a typical
marriage, it is only the women who have to witness the majority of alteration (Peterson & Bush
2013). In Mosuo, the story is different holding the prime position for women. In a world
dominated by men, the documentary is certainly a surprise manifesting life without men. If there
is anything that the modern world can learn from the film is their culture that is even though
considered ancient, it is quite modern cutting edge in most western societies reflecting medieval
morality. The society shows the ways women rule their lives by choosing their lover through the
‘Walking Marriage’ yet not husbands and raises their children all by themselves. Even in today’s
modern world, it is a pair of a man and woman that is considered ideal (Wang & Morais, 2014).
The point of view is, man or woman, people are bound by several societal norms that are
considered ideal. However, this tribe that has entirely different norms, it has let women unlike
most of the societies live a perfectly happy life full of love, freedom and most importantly
holding power in their own hands. Although understanding the extraordinary way of life under
Musou is difficult, there is unquestionably a different and beautiful way of looking at life
through their perspective.

2KINGDOM OF WOMEN: THE MATRIARCHAL MOSUO OF CHINA
References:
Kingdom of women: The matriarchal mosuo of China [Video file]. (2007). Retrieved March 5,
2019, from https://digital-films-com.proxy-iup.klnpa.org/PortalPlaylists.aspx?
wID=103093&xtid=40036
Peterson, G. W., & Bush, K. R. (2013). Handbook of Marriage and the Family (pp. 275-302).
New York: Springer.
Wang, Y. A., & Morais, D. B. (2014). Self-representations of the matriarchal Other. Annals of
Tourism Research, 44, 74-87.