Routledge Children in the Qin and Han Dynasties III: Social Identities and Roles (China Perspectives)

The third volume of a three-volume work on children in the Qin and Han dynasties, this book explores the multiple identities and roles of children (or minors) in Qin and Han society. The study features three innovative approaches: pioneering a child-centred perspective that challenges traditional adult-centred historical narratives, combining classical texts with archaeological evidence, and employing a comprehensive interdisciplinary methodology. This third volume examines the social life of children, including their social status, their obligations to pay taxes and work in the corvée, and their opportunities for political participation. Children in the Qin and Han Dynasties III analyses the role of youth in social instability and their impact on law and order. The volume also examines early marriage and romantic relationships among minors, shedding light on cultural norms and societal expectations. It also examines the mystical significance of celibate young boys and girls in religious and supernatural beliefs. Through these diverse perspectives, the book reveals how children were woven into the fabric of Qin and Han society. This essential work will be an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Qin and Han history, Chinese cultural history, social history, and childhood studies.