A Chinese woman’s tearful tirade against her mother who for 30 years had fed herself duck feathers but her son and grandson duck feet has reignited debate about the country’s view of family that puts men above women.
The incident emerged in a viral online video that recorded a family argument during a meal on May 17 in central China’s Anhui province.
When the duck legs were allocated to the son and grandson and the daughter received the duck feather, she became emotional and came into conflict with her mother.
“Why in your world do you think you should always give your sons and grandsons duck feet? It’s been that way for over 30 years. You have a problem with your attitude, you know that?” her daughter said.
“There is no reason. If you want to eat, eat. If you don’t want to, don’t. It’s enough that I am giving you food, but you are still arguing with me,” her mother replied.
The mother’s attitude further infuriated the daughter, who continued the conflict.
“Now that living conditions have improved, the question is not whether there are not enough duck feet, but why give the ducks feet every time,” she retorted.
“Eat the wings if you want, or I’ll give them to the dog,” her mother said, taking the bowl and feeding the family pet.
The video ends with the daughter asking, “Aren’t you a woman too? Why do you prefer men over women?”
The video sparked a heated and divisive debate online.
Many have sympathized with the girl and said the fight is not about food but about seeking equal treatment and love within the family.
“She’s fighting because for over 30 years her mother has never treated her as an equal,” said one online observer.
Others had a different view.
“Your daughter is nasty. You’re lucky to get a duck. Have you ever thought about what your mother has been eating for the last 30 years? She may love her son more than her, but does she love herself more than her daughter?” one person said.
The preference for boys in China stems from the belief that boys are more valuable than girls: traditionally, men were the sole breadwinners and were expected to look after their parents in old age.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, by the end of 2023, the male population will outnumber the female population by more than 30 million.
The result is a surplus of men, with many unable to marry or start a family.
