The East and the West have very different ideas of cultural traditions, values, and ways to maintain their traditions. Chinese women living in the Eastern tradition are increasingly exposed to the culture of the West. Because of this exposure, they often find themselves at a crossroads of the two competing value systems. Chinese women strive to maintain their traditional culture and seek to guard their values from outside influence. Yet they admire the ideas and images of freedom and individualism produced by Western culture. More and more Chinese women find themselves longing to enjoy the freedom and individualism promised by these powerful images and ideas. Professor Ma's research and talk will examine the differences that developed from these two different cultures, and attempt to draw out the significance of the influence from Western culture on Chinese women today.