Zuo yuezi practice among Malaysian Chinese women: tradition vs modernity

Abstract

Modernity has caused many changes to culture and to a certain extent has contributed to the lapse of many traditional practices. However, Chinese women have continued to practice zuo yuezi all over the world. Zuo Yuezi is traditional confinement which has been practised by the Chinese for at least 1000 years. Studies have shown Chinese women all over the world are still practising the tradition. This article will explore how and why the tradition is still practised in the modern age by Malaysian Chinese women and to what extent. This article will also attempt to explain the reasons for zuo yuezi to be continually practised by Chinese women by analyzing the functionality of the tradition and other factors which could have supported its resilience.

A Comparison of Practices During the Confinement Period among Chinese, Malay, and Indian Mothers in Singapore

“…The act of staying indoors during confinement may seem rather restrictive to the active modern mother. In a study of Malaysian Chinese mothers, the traditional confinement practices amongst the Chinese was adapted according to mothers’ perception of practicality (30).…”

“…The employment of confinement nannies specifically for confinement purposes is unique to the Southeast Asian context. During the confinement period, Chinese mothers may hire traditional confinement nannies, (known as peiyue) to take care of them and their baby (30). This prevalence of caregiver assistance increasesthe mother’s access to both practical and emotional support during the confinement period.…”

Perceptions of Chinese Women Coming to the United States to Give Birth

“…Although cultural components of childbirth and postpartum among Chinese birth tourists may be modified, these women still practiced many cultural traditions during this period. These traditions included the dietary practices of zuo yuezi and concepts of reducing "cold" and "wind" during the postpartum period (Chin et al, 2010). This study aimed to determine the perceptions of childbirth and postpartum practices among Chinese birth tourists in the United States.…”

“…An influential cultural practice is zuo yuezi, or "doing the month" (Chen, 2009). Zuo yuezi is the 30-day postpartum tradition of confinement to promote hot and cold balance according to the Yin-Yang tradition (Chin, Jaganathan, Hasmiza, & Wu, 2010). During the birth of the child, Chinese mothers lose heat and enter into a cold state (Donaldson, Kratzer, Okutoro-Ketter, & Tung, 2010).…”

“…Although zuo yuezi provides the mother time at home to breastfeed exclusively, the practice also emphasizes the importance of allowing the mother to rest and regain strength while others care for the newborn (Lee, 2013). A pei yue, a confinement month nanny responsible for feeding and caring for the mother, may 6 be hired to care for the mother (Chin et al, 2010). Literature demonstrates the importance of cultural practices during birth and postpartum among Chinese women (Callister et al, 2011).…”