In Old China, working women had no rights in such matters as politics, economy, culture, society, and family life. Women were governed by the Chinese feudal society tradition. When "new" China was founded in 1949, working women made up the 7.5 percent of the total work force. By 1983, the number of working women had increased to 36.5 percent. In addition, women's work has extended far beyond its traditional range. Women are working in industry, commerce, architecture, communications, agriculture, scientific research, public utilities, and government. This study, conducted with families in 14 rural provinces, sought to determine the educational and economic status of women. Married women (N=179) in rural provinces were interviewed and questionnaires were filled out by women (N=187) working in township enterprises of the rural provinces to provide additional information about rural women. The female subjects were divided into three age groups: the young (18 to 36 years of age), the middle (37 to 55 years of age), and the old (over 56 years of age). Examination of the age groups showed that the women in the young age group were more satisfied with their lives than were women of the middle and old age groups. The younger rural women who had received more education and gained full-time employment at township enterprises were able to raise the family living conditions. (LLL)