| Acknowledgements | 第6-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-8页 |
| Abstract | 第8页 |
| Introduction | 第12-26页 |
| 1. Background of the corresponding research | 第13-15页 |
| 1.1. Significance and rationale behind the project | 第13-15页 |
| 1.2. Key goals of the research | 第15页 |
| 2. Literature review of the concept of women | 第15-22页 |
| 2.1. Women’s Federation’s coining and definition of leftover women | 第17-18页 |
| 2.2. Explicate on specific definition of Shengnü | 第18-20页 |
| 2.3. Pragmatic positioning in present-day society | 第20-22页 |
| 3. Methodological methods used in the study | 第22-23页 |
| 4. Overview of the thesis | 第23-26页 |
| Chapter 1 The Cultural Role of Women in the History of China | 第26-46页 |
| 1.1 Norms, ideals and discourses | 第26页 |
| 1.2. Confucius’ unfettering influence within Chinese society | 第26-34页 |
| 1.2.1. Deep embedding of Confucianism within societal thinking | 第27-29页 |
| 1.2.2. References of women made by Confucius | 第29-30页 |
| 1.2.3. Description of China’s patriarchal roots | 第30-34页 |
| 1.3. Foot binding | 第34-39页 |
| 1.3.1. Origins of foot-binding and following repercussions | 第36-37页 |
| 1.3.2. Analysis of its contribution back into the view of women | 第37-39页 |
| 1.4. Mao Ze Dong’s definition of women | 第39-46页 |
| 1.4.1. Women holding up half the sky | 第40-41页 |
| 1.4.2. Breaking down the marriage construct in China | 第41-46页 |
| Chapter 2 The Reasons Leading to the Development of Shengnü in Modern China | 第46-59页 |
| 2.1. Research discourse and methodology | 第46-50页 |
| 2.1.1. Snowball sampling and possible implications of the method | 第47-48页 |
| 2.1.2. Additional groups of people that will interviewed and their thoughts | 第48-50页 |
| 2.1.2.1. Friends and family members of Shengnü | 第48-49页 |
| 2.1.2.2. The older generation from the marriage market | 第49-50页 |
| 2.2. A sociologist’s explanation of the Shengnü phenomenon | 第50-54页 |
| 2.2.1. Getting married immediately following graduation | 第50-51页 |
| 2.2.2. Reasons why parental concerns for marriage run deep | 第51-52页 |
| 2.2.3. How to be a top candidate at the marriage market | 第52-54页 |
| 2.3. Leftover men and Shengnü | 第54-59页 |
| 2.3.1. Theoretical cause for the birth of leftover men and Shengnü | 第55-57页 |
| 2.3.2. Concerns with the growing number of single men | 第57-58页 |
| 2.3.3. Using Shengnü to fuel the eugenics campaign | 第58-59页 |
| Chapter 3 The Life of a Shengnü in Shanghai | 第59-71页 |
| 3.1. Modern-day career woman’s thoughts on marriage | 第59页 |
| 3.2. Discrimination in the marriage market | 第59-61页 |
| 3.3. Patriarchal demands as a woman | 第61-62页 |
| 3.4. Case studies looking into the life of a Shengnü | 第62-71页 |
| 3.4.1. What is your response to the labeling of women above the mid-20s being labeled as leftover women? | 第63-65页 |
| 3.4.2. What kind of discrimination have you received in your workplace? In your family space? | 第65-67页 |
| 3.4.3. How do you feel society defines you? | 第67-69页 |
| 3.4.4. What kind of conversation do you think needs to happen in China about leftover women? | 第69-70页 |
| 3.4.5. If you could create a new name for yourself, what would it be? | 第70-71页 |
| Conclusions | 第71-74页 |
| 1. Constantly evolving line of thought | 第71-72页 |
| 2. Suggestions for possibilities to redefine women in society | 第72-74页 |
| Bibliography | 第74-82页 |
