What was the role of women in family and marriage in classical China?

Women played traditional roles in ancient China. They had to be obedient and respectful wives, mothers and after marriage, they were considered members of the man's family, getting a lesser role regarding their own families. With its stress on social order and harmony, Confucianism stated that in her life a woman has to subordinate to her father first, and then to her husband. As in other cultures, noble women were often engaged in politically meaningful marriages.