In the movie Mulan, why was it a crime for a woman to enlist in a army?

In the movie Mulan, it was considered a crime for a woman to enlist in the army due to societal norms, gender roles, and cultural expectations during that time period. Let me explain how you can find more information about this topic.

To understand the historical context and cultural background of Mulan's story, you can start by researching ancient Chinese society, specifically during the time of the Northern Wei Dynasty. During this era, strict gender roles were enforced, and women were expected to fulfill domestic duties and not engage in activities traditionally deemed as masculine, such as warfare.

To delve deeper into this topic, you can explore Chinese history books, articles, or reliable online sources that provide insights into gender norms, societal expectations, and the role of women in ancient China. Look for information about the Confucian philosophy, which heavily influenced gender roles, as well as historical accounts or folklore related to women who defied these norms.

By understanding the cultural and historical context, you will gain a broader perspective on why Mulan's decision to join the army was considered a crime and the significance of her courageous act.

According to historians it was not a crime. Disney fictionalized this part of the classical story of Mulan.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:w0tqT3e2BE8J:tsoidug.org/Papers/Disney_Mulan.pdf+Mulan+women+army+crime&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiEhHzQjE1wFvA3UtTXVhfukRhRN8QBcNti2Ni6H3kqh3CpE45C-io0V7JbhTJwDsHeK-6AwEvyU-S6Bb-BtuWG14rwKK1YaEglXj_772MEvIfDXWss-Jx8hwyxZXavPrFhb3Dg&sig=AHIEtbR74BX-evp8SfsMidy2LRSA8-UlXA