DIGITAL
HUMANITIES
GENDER REPRESENTATION
IN SHANGHAI & TIBET DIVORCE CASES
Natural Language Processing
METHODOLOGY
CODE BLOCKS
VISUAL OUTCOMES
CONCLUSION & ANALYSIS
About this project
The cultural landscapes of Tibet and Shanghai present diverse experiences for women.
Tibet, with its more traditional and conservative cultural and social structures, highlights still severe patriarchy and a lack of women’s choice in marriages. In comparison, Shanghai, as a bustling metropolis is marked by rapid economic development and shifting gender roles.
This project aims at understanding the impact of different cultures on treatment of genders in the courtroom and exploring gender differences in divorce trials.
The frequency data for specific topics in divorce judgments across different regions and genders reveal important insights into how different aspects of divorce cases are emphasized depending on whether the male or female is the defendant.
This project is an analysis considering both the frequency counts and percentages, focusing on gender and regional differences in divorce trial transcripts.
1. Gender Issues
Property Emphasis in Female Defendant Cases: The significant focus on property-related keywords, particularly in cases where women are defendants, suggests a persistent economic dependency or vulnerability among women. This indicates that, despite modern advancements, women may still rely heavily on marital assets for economic security. The data highlights the gendered nature of economic power, where women, especially in divorce, must fight for their financial rights, potentially due to their limited access to independent income or assets during marriage.
Violent Issues in Male Defendant Cases: The strong association of violent topics with male defendants, particularly in Tibetan cases, highlights the societal problem of domestic violence, where men are often the perpetrators. This might reflect deep-seated gender norms that associate masculinity with control, power, and sometimes aggression. It also suggests that violence is a critical factor in many divorces involving male defendants, pointing to the need for more robust interventions and support systems to address and mitigate domestic violence
2. Regional Cultural Norms and Legal Practices
Differences in Emphasis on Relationship Behavior: The lesser emphasis on relationship behaviors (such as infidelity and emotional breakdown) in Tibetan cases compared to Shanghai cases could reflect regional cultural norms. In Tibet, the focus on property might indicate that marriage is viewed more as an economic partnership, while in Shanghai, there is a slightly higher concern with the relational aspects of marriage. This could suggest that in more urbanized and economically developed areas like Shanghai, there is a greater expectation of emotional and relational fulfillment in marriage, leading to these factors being more prominent in divorce cases.
Focus on Violence in Tibetan Male Cases: The higher emphasis on violence-related issues in Tibetan male defendant cases might reflect specific regional challenges, such as the normalization of violence in domestic settings or inadequate legal protection for victims. This could indicate a need for more targeted legal reforms and public awareness campaigns in Tibet to address and reduce domestic violence
3. Legal System Limitations and Gender Biases
Gender Bias in Legal Outcomes: The stark differences in keyword emphasis between male and female defendant cases highlight potential gender biases in the legal system. The focus on property disputes in female defendant cases suggests that women’s economic interests are often at the forefront, possibly at the expense of addressing other critical issues like domestic violence. Conversely, the emphasis on violence in male defendant cases may reflect a legal system that is more attuned to violent behaviors when men are involved, potentially due to stereotypes that associate men with aggression.
Underrepresentation of Relationship Issues: The relatively lower emphasis on relationship behaviors, particularly in Tibetan cases, suggests that issues like emotional abuse, infidelity, and marital dissatisfaction may be underrepresented in legal proceedings. This could indicate a legal system that prioritizes economic and physical issues over emotional well-being, potentially marginalizing the emotional experiences of those involved in divorce cases.
Overall: Deeper Social Issues Uncovered by TF-IDF, Keyword Frequency, and Proportional Analysis Across Genders and Regions
The analysis of TF-IDF values, keyword frequencies, and their proportions across different regions (Tibet and Shanghai) and genders (Male and Female) reveals more than just the surface-level legal concerns in divorce judgments. It exposes deeper social issues that may reflect the underlying societal structures, cultural norms, and gender dynamics at play in these communities. Below are some of the key societal problems inferred from the data.
Outcomes
Word Cloud for Tibetan Male Documents
Word Cloud for Tibetan Female Documents
Word Cloud Visualization
Word Cloud for Shanghai Male Documents
Word Cloud for Shanghai Female Documents
TD-IDF Analysis
For male defendants in both regions, property issues are the most prominent, with violent topics also receiving considerable attention. The data suggests that when men are the defendants, financial disputes and issues of violence are key concerns, while relationship behavior, though relevant, is less of a focus.
(Higher number indicates higher frequency of occurence of keyword)
For female defendants in both regions, property-related topics are overwhelmingly dominant, indicating that financial disputes are the primary concern. Violent topics receive very little attention, suggesting that when women are defendants, the focus is primarily on economic matters
TF-IDF Visualization
In Tibetan male defendant cases, there is a strong emphasis on both violent and property-related topics. Relationship behavior issues are present but are less emphasized, particularly regarding extramarital affairs.
In Tibetan female defendant cases, property-related topics are overwhelmingly dominant, while violent and relationship issues are significantly less emphasized
In Shanghai male defendant cases, property issues are the most emphasized, followed closely by violent topics. Relationship behavior is a secondary concern but still relevant.
In Shanghai female defendant cases, property-related topics dominate, with more attention to relationship behavior than in Tibetan female cases, but still less than property issues.
For male defendants in both regions, there is a significant focus on both property and violent issues. Relationship behavior, while relevant, is generally less emphasized, particularly in Tibetan cases.
For female defendants, property-related topics are the most emphasized in both regions, with significantly less focus on violent and relationship behavior issues. The emphasis on financial matters is particularly strong, reflecting the primary concern in these cases.
Tibetan Male
Tibetan Female
Topic Porportions by Pie Charts
Shanghai Male
Shanghai Female
Frequency Count for Specific Topics Across Regions and Genders
Correlation Matrix of High- Frequency Words
The correlation matrix reveals that relationship behaviors are closely linked with both property disputes and violent issues, suggesting that these elements are often interwoven in divorce cases.
However, the weak correlation between property and violent topics indicates that these are typically separate concerns. These insights can be useful in understanding the dynamics at play in divorce cases and may inform more targeted interventions and support systems for those involved in such disputes
Conclusion
The analysis of TF-IDF values, keyword frequencies, and their proportions across regions and genders reveals significant social issues such as gender inequality, economic dependency, the normalization of domestic violence, and regional disparities in cultural norms. These findings suggest that the legal system, as reflected in these divorce judgments, may not fully address the complex realities of gender dynamics and cultural contexts. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive legal reforms, greater societal awareness, and targeted interventions to ensure more equitable and just outcomes in divorce proceedings.